The Great Malayan : biography of Rizal

3069

EX LlBRIS

AYALA Y CIA.

~ -/

MANILA 1834

First tTip _ _ _ _ __

Rizal left Manila on May 3.

1882-he was not yet 21 years oldto continue his medical studies in Spain. France. and Germany. He returned by the same route via SAigon on August 5. 18S7.

Second trip - - - - __ _ Left Manila February 11. 1888. for Europe via Hongkong.

Yokohama. San Francisco. New York. Liverpool. and London.

(Consult other map at the back for this route.) Left Europe for Hongkong October 15. 18g1. Rizal returned to Manila June 26, 18g2.

Side

Irip_x_x_X

While in Hongkong in the spring of 1892, Rizal pard a visit to Sandakan, North 8orneo. to inspect the proposed site (If a Filipino agricultural colony under the British flag.

THE GREAT MALAYAN I

."ALA

I

MUSEUM LlllKAllY

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL LIFE AND

LITERATURE SERIES The Reign of Greed-"Rizal The Social Cancer-Rizal The Great Malayan-Quirino

(Courtesy Alfonso T. Ongpin)

JOSE RIZAL

This is the most popular and best known photograph of the national hero of the Filipinos. The print was taken directly from the original negative which is in the possession of Mr. Ongpin.

33R~

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THE GREAT MALAYAN /' The Biography of Rizal

By

CARLOS QUIRINO

MANILA

PHILIPPINE EDUCATION COMPANY 1940

3069

Copyright 194,.0

by PHILIPPINE

All rights reserved. in any fashion by

EDUCATION

C.0MPANY,

INC.

o part of this book may be reproduced mimeograpl~

or any other means, without

permission in writing from the publishers.

PUBLISHED DF.CEMBER 30, 1940

SET UP, PRINTED AND BOUND BY

McCULLOUGH PRINTING COMPANY

MOTH_Y TO

lI\[y

~~ q)y .

ACKNOWLEDGMENT For help extended to him in the preparation of this book, the author wishes to express his gratitude to the following: Miss Trinidad Rizal Mrs. Narcisa Rizal-Lopez Alfredo E. Litiatco Juan CoIl as Arthur T. Heidenreich Luis Montilla Mariano Santamaria Dr. Baldomero Roxas Dr. Jose Albert Dr. Pio Valenzuela General Jose Alejandrino Dr. Julio Llorente Leoncio Bauson Mrs. Andrea de Jesus Basilio Salgado Mrs. Romana Perez-Villamil Roman D. Lazaro Alfonso T. Ongpin J Dr. Isidoro de Santos H. Otley Beyer Teodoro M. Kalaw Elpidio Quirino Mrs. Ramon J. Fernandez Feliciano Paterno Mrs. Cecilia Brunschig Mrs. Philo Muench Leopoldo Kahn Jr. Miss Benita Sison Mrs. Esperanza Llanes-Santos Geronimo Cayton Alfredo Gonzalez Jose Esperanza Cruz Mrs. Natividad B. Quirino

Sources for all statements appearing in this biography may be found in the copious footnotes contained in the original MS, copies of which have been deposited with the Filipiniana Division of the National Library of the Philippines.

'.

INTRODUCTION BSTREPEROUSLY patriotic Filipinos have long reduced the greatest hero of the Philippines to the category of its independence question - something they glibly talk about, but know very little about. Rizal is undeniably a source of pride to his countrymen. So many monuments have been built to his memory that one wonders whether the powersthat-be 路believe that brass and stone suffice to show the love and admiration of a nation. The anniversary of his execution is commemorated with balls, receptions, and parades-a splendid occasion for general rejoicing. Yet his message and his teachings, in which his noble, self-sacrificing spirit still breathes, have been either ignored or sadly neglected. Is it not a human trait to honor the路 great by doing them sometimes a signal dishonor?

O

Nearly every publ"c square is graced with the sombre figure of Rizal, especially in the Tagalog provinces. He is dressed in a winter suit and often wears an overcoat. Sad and pensive he looks as if he were brooding, as if he were still pondering on the problems of his country. How many of those 路who gaze on him know him well enough to speak of him if not with authority, at least with understanding? How many of the passers-by have had the intellectual curiosity to read his works, including his voluminous correspondence, in which he poured out the anguish and the poetry of his sensitive, romantic soul, and voiced the bitter, burning, stirring protest of his heart against the wrongs, the rank abuses and injustices to which his beloved Philippines had been subjected since the advent of the Cross in the pearl of the Orient sea, his Eden lost?

Were a foreign visitor to inquire who Rizal was, after seeing so many of his statues, he would be amazed, perhaps shocked, to discover that the martyr of Bagumbayan, the acknowledged ix

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INTRODUCTION

leader of his race, is in a sense a stranger to his own people.

A central niche in the Islands' hall of fame he occupies.

Yearly the people proclaim him as their idol. Still they continue treating with indifference all his important writings, his richest legacy, the sole depository of his nation-building, empireshaking thoughts. The youth of the Philippines, whom he optimistically called-mistakenly cynics now aver-"fair hope of the Fatherland," brush aside his books and browse on cheap foreign magazines just to appear modern and smart. Only into Tagalog have his Noli Me Tangere and his El Filibusterismo, described by U namuno as "the Bible of the Philippines," been translated. Even Tagalogs, however, do not read him. It may truly be said of him that in so far as his writings are concerned he is far more honored in the breach than the observance.

An hour's drive from Manila is the sleepy little town of Kalamba. It is Rizal's native heath, the land of his dreams, his boyhood joy. Kalamba has a particular reason to love and revere him. Unbidden, like the vision of a loved one, she always came to his mind in his travels. With Goldsmith he could have truthfully said to her "Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart, un travelled, fondly turns to thee."

If you visit Kalamba, you will think that everybody there knows Rizal. Why should not his two masterpieces adorn every shelf and every home in his town? As true as the biblical saying, however, that a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house, you will find t at the Oriental Hamlet is no more than a half-forgotten tale there.

Only a few years ago, in fact, Kalamba's mayor admitted in broken Spanish that he had never read Rizal, that all he knew about him was what he had heard from others. One of the poet's classmates in the Ateneo, now an old man, but still without any gray hair to add a touch of respectability to age, was

INTRODUCTION

Xl

no less frank in his admission. Had Rizal immortalized his name in one of his novels? He did not know it. Nor did he know what his former friend and townmate had done in Europe, why Pepe and his entire family were hounded by ruthless, unforgiving enemies, most of whom were outwardly devout Christians and wore the garb of ministers of God. No wonder Retana affirmed that Rizal had "died misunderstood by his own people." Writing to Blumentritt, his Austrian confidant, Rizal revealed his fervent wish. "I want to give an example to my people," he intimated, "that I write not for myself nor for my glory, but for my country. Hence I prefer truth to fame. .May my countrymen also sacrifice their passions for the welfare of the country, may they not seek their good in honors, employments, bribes, adulations, but in virtues that distinguish and adorn free peoples." Doubly tragic it would se.e m that he has been not only misunderstood, but that the seed of his sublim~example has apparently fallen on barren soil. In the memorable compulsory religious instruction bill, which cleft the first National Assembly in two, even his leading countrymen, it was painfully clear, did not know him or, if they did, did not care what he stood for, what he fought for, and what he died for.

To enlighten his countrymen and incidentally win a prize for himself, Carlos Quirino, young but leading biographer of President Quezon, has undertaken the difficult task of writing a biography of Rizal. The work heretofore has been done exclusively by foreign writers whose zeal, unfortunately, was marrt;d by a common defect: inability to appreciate the soul of a Filipino. Quirino did not go to Europe or live there like Retana and Craig, in order to delve into dusty archives for a better understanding of his hero. Nevertheless, he has been able to gather virtually all the important details about the martyr's life abroad and make a thorough study of the subject.

He has had access to several private and public papers which were either unknown or inaccessible when his predecessors J

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INTRODUCTION

wrote. In addition, he has spoken to various persons who knew Rizal intimately from his infancy. He was thus in an enviable position to unravel the skein and put together the loose threads of a life that was as rich in the promise of the future as it was in actual accomplishment.

Over those who have blazed the trail or have preceded him, Quirino enjoys a notable advantage. He is more accurate.

Everything he affirms he proves. The requirements of modern biography he carefully observes. In other words, he exemplifies the "courageous search for truth and the insistence on the complexity of personality" with a view to expressing and transmitting, if possible, that personality. Thus his presenta.tion sharply contrasts with the laudatory style, the style of Victorian biographers, who portrayed their subject as a man of impeccable habit~, stuffed with virtues, a saint without a past; in short, as a being hardly of this loving, sinning, erring world of ours. And because he has adopted the modern method of biography writing, he tells his story simply, interestingly, in a novel, sometimes reportorial, form. With bold strokes here and there, dripping now and then with romance, fragTant with the poetry of love, and spiced with the tang of life, he draws the portrait of the great :Malayan as he conceives him to be in his brief, chequered and tragic existence from Kalamba to . Bagumbayan.

Rizal is to Biographer Quirino a perfectly human being with all his faults and his virtues, but richly endowed with elements of greatness and of moral beauty. He possessed an extraordinary will-power, a will which ,vas never at the beck and call of whim, chance or circumstance. And that will, the author finds, was reinforced by a firm resolve to right a wrong or rather a series of wrongs, to denounce abuses some of which subsist to this day to blacken the name of God, and to show to the whole world that a brown man knows how to die for his country and his convictions.

INTRODUCTION

XUl

Critics may question whether or not the pen-picture drawn

by Quirino on the canvas of biography is the best study, the most faithful characterization so far of the martyr. All that to the average reader is purely a matter of taste and opinion and taste and opinion are neither decisive nor final. What appears . to be beyond cavil is that he has fully accomplished what he has proposed to do-to write and write breezily, piquantly, and well, the biography of a Filipino by a Filipino. Through him the man whom Bishop Aglipay has sainted in a moment of intense patriotism becomes again like the rest of us, the flesh of our flesh, weak as that flesh is bound to be, the blood of our blood, the deathless symbol of the possibilities of his people and their latent greatness as a race.

JUAN COLLAS

Manila, June 19, 1939路

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

CHAPTER I N THE YEAR 160 3, the government of His Majesty, King Philip III of Spain, in the very noble and always loyal city of Manila, slaughtered, in the belief that a rebellion was brewing, 24,000 Chinese who had settled in the vicinity of the new capital. In consequence, the worldly possessions of the newcomers were divided between the Spaniards and the natives, with the former, as befitting their status of overlords, naturally getting the lion's shar~. Made benevolent by this blood-letting, the government changed its polity and began to welcome immigrants from the s0utheastern coastal provinces of China.

It allowed several hundred of them to settle in the fertile region southeast of Manila, bordering on a large lake in the Island of Luzon called Laguna de Bay.

I

The Chinese who came to the Isles of Philip had left the Middle Kingdom with the hope of a better future, but met a host in their new land as cruel and ruthless as had been the warlords of the Ming and Manchu dynasties. By 1639, the Chinese residents of Laguna de Bay, exasperated by the official robbery and oppression of the Spanish provincial governor, rose in rebellion and for a year sustained a successful guerilla warfare against the descendants of the conquistadores. As a last resort, the Spaniards paraded the images of the saints in the narrow, cobble-stoned streets of the Walled City to implore divine aid in their martial undertaking-a happy thought, apparently, for soon after the rebels surrendered. Immediately after, an edict wa1l published ordering all Chinese in the region to be put to death. Thoroughly impressed by the severity of

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

their new masters, the few survivors remained outwardly peaceful but inwardly retained a love for liberty which they transmitted to their descendants. They married the belles of the place, after suitable gifts to parents and to the objects of their attentions, and gradually adopted the customs and religion of the country. By 1800, the process of racial assimilation was complete. A descendant of one of these later settlers, to escape the heavier taxes imposed on Chinese mestizos, surreptitiously changed the tribute lists so that his family was thenceforth classed as an Indio) the name contemptuously given

by Span~ards to natives of their overseas possessions.

This descendant, named Juan Mercado, had thrice served as headman of the town of Bifian, 35 kilometers from Manila.

He bore the familiar title of Capitan Juan and discharged his duties as gobernadorcillo} or petty governor, with kindliness and greater honesty 'than his contemporaries, despite his lapse in the matter of the t ibute lists. On solemn state or church occasions, such as the accession of Ferdinand VII to the Spanish throne or the annual town fiesta, he donned an embroidered blouse made of the finest pineapple fiber, black European trousers, a Napoleonic cocked hat, and an imposing ornamental. sword of authority. He lived in the largest house of the town, located at the very center of the plaza, a house he had inherited from his wealthy father. He was a pious man, making peace with his conscience and the Catholic church with generous donations to the local parish priest.

Capitan Juan was blessed with numerous childrenthirteen in all. His landholdings were extensive, but they shrank when divided among the children. For this reason the youngest of them all, Francisco, was forced to leave Bifian and seek his fortune elsewhere. He settled not far away, in the town of Kalamba, 16 kilometers south of Bifian along the southwestern shores of the lake. Francisco, as the worthy son of one of the pillars of the community, readily obtained the lease of several hectares of sugar cane and rice land from the

RIZAL'S MOTHER

3

Dominican friars, one of the four religious corporations which had secured vast tracts of rich land by Crown grants as a token of gratitude for its earlier missionary zeal in the successful pacification of the Islands. An enterprising and hard-working young man, he "rounded up his poorer neighbors to labor with him in tilling the soil, working on a profit-sharing basis. An obliging elder sister, a spinster, kept house for him. However, she died a few years after they had settled down in Kalamba, though not until she had helped him accumulate a considerable amount which he promptly invested in more land. Her death forced him to cast an appraising eye on the town beauties for a worthy helpmate. He found such a one in Teodora Alonso, a city-born and -bred girl, who had moved to Kalamba with her mother some years before. She was well-educated for her time, and, like all girls of her generation, a devout Catholic. She came from good native stock, with an admixture of Spanish blood. One of her forefathers proudly traced his ancestry to Lakandula, tHe Malayan rajah who ruled Manila at the time of its conquest. Her brothers and uncles were mostly priests, doctors, or lawyers-professional men of high standing in the community. At the time of her wedding, she was twenty years old, nearly ten years younger than her husband.

She made him a dutiful wife, handled the household affairs efficiently, and pres en ted him with eleven children. However, only nine reached maturity and of these only two were sons. When the governor-general in 1849, shortly after the first Mercado girl-child was born, dec"r eed that all indios should bear a surname no matter from whom or where they derived it, the local alcalde added the surname of Rizal to Mercado.

Francisco didn't mind; there were really many Mercados in the province who were not related at all, and the new name sounded much like ricial-the green fields in which he toiled under the tropic sun. Anyway, neighbors kept calling each other in the old way and his family continued for many years to be known as Mercado rather than Rizal.

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THE GREAT l\'lALAYAN

The frugal young couple were able to build a pretentious home in the center of Kalamba. This was of adobe stone and . hardwood with a red-tiled roof, the traditional mark of affluence. The years slipped by as the manifold cares of managing an hacienda, aside from routinary household duties and the task of feeding, clothing, and educating a large family, absorbed all their time. The :Mercados, despite the political and economic changes during the latter part of the nineteenth century, were headed towards the unmolested, if uneventful, existence of the landed gentry, comforted on this earth by material wealth and undoubtedly deserving a kindly fate in the after life. They would have lived and died in this manner had not their seventh child turned out to be a son-the second in the family-who defied an outmoded social system, incurred the enmity of the clergy, and earned the bitter hatred of a decadent colonial government, which brought persecution upon their aged h~ad'8 and on himself a public execution as a traitor; but who kindled in the hearts of his c<?untrymen a love of liberty and forged them, for the first time in history, into a unified nation. He was born on June 19, 1861, and was duly christened Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda.

To an European traveler, Kalamba was a dreary-looking town. The Camino Real ran through the center of the town, from southwest to northeast, and at the northern end veered to the right continuing for two kilometers parallel to the small San Juan river until it reached the' coarse sandy beach of Laguna de Bay where passengers took the boat for Manila.

Adjoining the church in Kalamba to the left was the spacious estate-house of the Dominicans; while on the right, across a narrow street, was located the house of the lVIercados. To one side of the parish convent and behind the house of the Mercados stood the Tribunal, a sugar camarin which served as the government center. Its dilapidated condition accurately reflected the decayed state of colonial administration. All four buildings were on the eastern side of the Camino Real.

BIRTHPLACE

5

Scattered along this main thoroughfare were the imposing houses of the leading inhabitants, such as Capitan Lucas Quintero, Juan Banaten, Nicolas Llamas, and Francisco Salgado, who were regarded as slightly above the Mercados in the social scale because they owned considerable property around town aside from the farm land rented from the friars. Only a few kilometers to the south, Mount Makiling towered above the little town of 4,000 people: The southern end of the lake curved eastward at the foot of Makiling, and in the blue distance the twin peaks of Mounts San Cristobal and Banahaw were lost in the clouds. To the distant north loomed the Antipolo range of mountains, poetically named Susong Dalaga because the main peak rese-mbled the naked breast of a virgin girl in repose.

The Mercado house was rectangular in shape. The extensive yard behind it had been turned into a tropical orchard of fruit-bearing trees. The atis} with its delicately-flavored fruit, drooped its branches as if to save children the trouble of reaching up for them. The broad-leafed papaya bore darkgreen fruit that tempted birds as well as human beings. Nearby grew the sweet santol) the fragrant and honey-like tampoy) the purple macopa; further away were the plum, the cashew with its fibrous meat, the tamarind, the jackfruit and breadfruit trees. The orange trees in bloom diffused an aroma of sweetness, while the balimbing with its abundant foliage and beautiful flowers furnished a pleasing contrast to the eye. Here and there huge coconut palms laden with enormous clusters of nuts swayed in the breeze. At sundown, dozens of birds of all kinds frequented the garden, and little three-year-old Jose amused himself watching them hop and fly from tree to tree.

As his mother was far too busy to watch over her younger children all .the time, an elderly aya took care of little Jose.

The children called her Ina or mother for she loved them as much as if they were her own.

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THE GREAT lVIALAYAN

Despite the care she lavished on him, tempting him with rice-cakes, sweetmeats, and other delicacies, Jose was sickly and grew up into a scrawny, spindly-legged youngster with great brown eyes and a shock of black hair that stood up rebelliously.

On moonlit nights, Ina used to take him out on the azatea for a breath of the cool evening air. To make him eat his supper, she frightened him with stories of ghostly apparitions, with tales about the .asuwang and the nuno. She was of a melancholic turn of mind and took her young master on solitary walks along the river, resting under the darkness of some huge tree while the moonbeams played hide and seek with the moving surface of the water. She said human beings inhabited the moon and that the shadows on it were nothing else but those of a woman continually spinning thread. She had a vivid imagination, and regaled the youngsters with fairy stories about trees bearing diamonds, handsome princes rescuing languishing damsels, and turbaned Bambays ith flowing beards capturing naughty children and using their blood to transmute baser metal into gold. A small nipa hut had been built in the backyard for the children. There Jose played with his sisters under the watchful eye of the aya. In the evenings, at the stroke of the Angelus from the belfry across the street, the family assembled to recite a chaplet of the rosary and at the end kiss the hand of the elders.

At a tender age, Jose learned to believe everything that was said in books because his parents urged him to read and understand what was in them. They punished him for the least lie. On the days when the servants polished the hardwood floor with banana leaves, he found walking difficult. He slipped often and sat down unexpectedly on the smooth surface.

To get on a chair was a great adventure. He descended the stairs one step at a time clinging to the wooden railings of the balustrade. On Friday mornings, he would sometimes go with his sisters to the market-place. Country folks came in on foot, balancing huge earthen jars on their heads or on bamboo carts

BOYHOOD

7

pulled by slow-moving carabaos. The town was poorly lighted at night for kerosene was still unknown there. Kalamba was like a thousand other small towns throughout the archipelago, but to young Jose it was a gay and lively place for it was the center of his childish universe.

One night he found himself alone with his mother in the sala) as everyone else had路 gone to sleep early. He had already learned his caton) the Tagalog a, b, c, and Mrs. Mercado was trying to teach him to read from a Spanish booklet entitled El Amigo de los N拢'Pios. He read very poorly because he did not understand Spanish, so that she scolded him. Then she herself read in sonorous Castilian, but after a while Jose yawned because th~ words had no meaning for him. To catch his attention, she related in Tagalog the story about the foolish moth which, attracted by the brightness, perished in the flames. She was reading by the light of a lonely coconut oil lamp, whose yellow flame cast bla k shadows in the corners of the room.

Several small moths hovered around the flame and Jose's attention centered around the lamp and the insects. Her w<?rds droned on, farther ana farther away, as one of the foolhardly moths came too near, singed its wings, and fell into the thick, sticky liquid. He saw the moth flutter for a few seconds, then lie quiet ...

"See that you do not behave like the young moth," counseled his mother as she put him to bed. "Don't be disobedient, or you may get burnt as it did."

She kissed him. He mumbled a drowsy goodnight, but his mind whirled around the image of the moth circling eternally around a flickering flame ...

'The story reveal~d to me things until then unknown," he wrote twenty years later while he was in Germany, far away from his native land. "Moths no longer were, for .me, insignificant insects. Moths talked; they knew how to warn each other. They advised, just like mother. The light seemed to

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

me more beautiful. It had grown more dazzling and more attractive. I knew why the moth circled the flame. .. I thad died a martyr to its illusions."

His first great adventure with the outside world came at the age of seven, when in compa'ny with his father he boarded a flatbottomed casco for a trip across the lake. He had never been on such a vast expanse of water before, and passed a silent night watching the water rippling over the bamboo outrigger. Recalling the superstitious tales told by his nurse, he nearly cried with fright when he saw a water snake wind around the outrigger. But morning came and the yellow sunlight spread over the face of the earth and relieved the mind of the little boy.

They journeyed riorth to the towns of Cainta and Taytay, and on to Antipolo where the bejeweled image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage lay enshrined, then back to Manila and its southern suburb, Santa Ana, where Jose's eldest sister, Saturn ina, was studying in Concordia College.

Jose learned to draw, rather crudely at first, almost as soon as he learned to write. He filled the margins of his books with . sketches of animals, flowers, trees, and persons. Later, he took to modeling in clay and wax, and sculpturing in wood. When he was a little older, his father hired a former classmate to live in their house and teach Jose the rudiments of Latin, but this instructor suddenly died five months later although apparently enjoying the best of health. At about this time, two brothers of his mother took a hand in his formal education. Uncle Manuel, a jovial giant of a man, taught him to love the open air, to take long walks in the near-by woods and green fields accompanied by a dog, and to go riding on a pony. Uncle Gregorio was a lover of books and instilled into his mind the advice: "Work hard and perform every task very carefully; learn to be swift as well as thorough; be independent in thinking; and make visual pictures of everything."

Jose first came to Bifian when he was nine years old, accompanied by M anong Paciano路, then a young man of nineteen

FIRST SCHOOL

9

and the second eldest in the family. This was Jose's first long separation from his beloved parents, sisters, and indulgent aya.

When he left them he found it hard to restrain the tears which dimmed his eyes. He boarded with an aunt. The day after his arrival he faced his teacher, a thin, long-necked disciplinarian wearing a sinamdy shirt over stooped shoulders and a forbidding expression of severity on his sharp face.

"Do you "A little, "Do you "A little,

speak Spanish?" barked the teacher. sir," replied Jose, gulping uneasily. know Latin?" sir."

Recess time came and the teacher's son, named Pedro, who was bigger and older, made fun of Jose's replies.

"Cabezota-dumb-bell!" Pedro taunted.

A scuffle ensued and the newcomer pinned Pedro on a bench. The loser asked for a return match, but the victor declined because it was time for the teacher to awaken from his siesta. Nevertheless, Jose felt a glow of pride surging within him. But the feeling did not last very long, for another boy challenged him to a fight after classes were over, and Jose nearly cracked his head against the gutter of a near-by house ...

The house of the aunt in Bifian was crowded with six boarders, all kinsfolk. The aged woman was fond of reading -the Bible in the vernacular while lying down on the bamboo floor. A niece spent most of her time going to the confessional and praying for the forgiveness of her sins. Another boy, Leandro, the same age as Jose, was a spoiled rascal who once nearly caused Jose to lose his life. One day, while both of them were bathing on top of a flat stone alongside the river, Leandro jokingly pushed him into the water. The current was so swift that Jose would have drowned had he not grabbed the leg of . companion. Naughty Leandro was duly spanked witll: a s Ipper by the aunt, when she later learned about the incident.

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

Jose's daily routine was simple: he heard Mass in the town church at four o'clock in the morning, if services were held that early, or studied his lesson at that hour and went to Mass afterward. Then he searched for a ripe mabulo in the backyard of his aunt's home. After eating breakfast, generally consisting of a plate of rice and two pieces of tinapa or twyo, he went to school until ten o'clock. Luncheon was at twelve, followed by a study period. Classes were resumed at two and lasted until five in the afternoon. Then he played with his classmates and returned home to study his lessons for the next day. Supper consisted of one or two plates of rice and a fish called ayungin. Evening family prayers followed; and then, if there was moonlight, 'he sallied forth on the streets with his friends. They played patintero or games of tag with a great deal of shouting.

Often at recess nme, he visited the nipa hut adjoining the school where Juancho the teacher's grandfather, dabbled in painting. Jose shared with another classmate the dubious distinction ,of being regarded as the artists of the school. He was a diligent student, and though behind in his studies at the time of his enrollment, soon outdistanced the rest of his companions. Together with the great majority of Filipino children, whose mother tongue was the native dialect, he found great difficulty in mastering such syllables as ca, ce, ci, co, ga, gua, gui, and so forth. To them, such nonsense syllables were stupid, as they were necessary only in learning Spanish, a language which only three out of a thousand Filipino students ever really learned, and even these learned it only later in Manila by hearing it continually spoken and by memorizing many books. Jose, whose budding mind was beginning to grope out in the everlasting search for greater knowledge, often wondered what was the use of learning Spanish when in the end one spoke only Tagalog-but he prudently kept this question to himself. Parrot-like, he managed to repeat his lessons with very few hitches; but the teacher's rod fell alike

HE SEES SPANISH CRUELTY

11

on him as on the dullest boy, for the maxim ran that "the letter enters with the blood." The blows fell like rain and pupils were whipped every day with tiresome regularity.

Sometimes the schoolmaster broke his rattan switch and at other times drew blood from the children's hands or raised welts on their backs as they lay flat on a bench.

But though stern, the schoolmaster was just; and after Jose had stayed with him for a few months, he was sent back to his father with the surprising news that the child had better study in Manila as he had nothing more to learn from that school.

From childhood, Jose had witnessed street scenes upholding the prestige of the sovereign power. In the early morning or late afternoons and evenings, the Spanish teniente of the-civil guards would strut up and down the plaza and main thoroughfares, resplendent in his brass buttons and gold braid. ((Maganddng araw po-good day, sir," the town folks would greet him, doffing their straw hats.

The officer would nod superciliously. It pained him to return the greetings of an indio.

But at times, some poor tao failed to greet him. Then he would pounce like a tiger on the unfortunate passer-by, delivering several blows with his cane.

"Don't you recognize the King's representative?" he would thunder, cursing fluently.

The alcalde, a tool of the friars, ,vas just as fond of wielding the cane for the same reason, and the boy began to suspect that the people of his town were not all so shortsighted as they made out to be, for such events took place almost every day.

Both the teniente and the alcalde often visited Mercado's house, but as they behaved just like the other Spanish guests, except perchance that they were a bit more overbearing, he could not satisfactorily explain to himself their extraordinary behavior in public. Sometimes he wondered whether the pair were

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THE GREAT

~1ALAYAN

possessed by the spirit of some cruel ogre as soon as they stepped out of their houses.

A few days after his return to Kalamba, his mother's halfbrother, Jose Alberto, arrived from a trip to Spain. Uncle Jose had been educated in a Calcutta missionary school. In 1858 he had entertained at his home Sir John Bowring, Governor-General of Hongkong and a world-renowned linguist. He was the town's leading citizen.

Upon arrival, Jose Alberto found that his wife had abandoned their home and children. The poor man was frantic, searching everywhere until he found her in another house.

Enraged by her infidelity, he planned to divorce her. Rizal's mother, scandalized by a procedure unthought of in those days, prevailed on him to forgive his er'r ing wife. But the wife conspired with an 'officer of the guardia civil) and a few days later accused her husband of trying to poison her, naming her sister-in-law as an accomplice.

The unfounded cliarge served as a cloak for local officials to avenge themselves on the accused. Many a time had they broken bread in the home of the Mercados. But the indios were getting more disrespectful every day, all Spanish officials in the coloriy loudly insisted among themselves, and leading families like the Mercados and the Albertos were setting a bad example by showing only courteous deference instead of menial and flattering servility to their white masters. Hence, this was an opportune time to make an example of Don Jose.

The alcalde was a pliant tool of the friars, and, as he fulfilled the dual role of prosecuting attorney and judge, he promptly sentenced Mrs. l\fercado and her half-brother to prison. Ordinarily, she would have served her sentence in the rickety town jail, but that would have been like confining her in her own home, for relatives would have sneaked in all kinds of good food. So the alcalde ordered that she be committed to the jail in Santa Cruz, a town on the eastern shores of Laguna de Bay some 30 kilometers from Kalamba; and out

RELEASE OF HIS MOTHER of spite he further decreed that the transfer be made, not by the usual mode of travel-on boat-but on foot. Her persecutor had promised to secure an early release if she signed a confession, and she had acceded, believing in her simple soul that they were sincere, but she soon found that she had been duped. The Mercados hired two of the best lawyers in the Islands, who managed to secure an order for her release from the Supreme Court on the original charges, but the wily alcalde promptly changed the accusation to contempt of court, and after the lapse of several months the higher tribunal sustained his later decision. In the meantime, she languished in jail, far away from her husband and children. She was imprisoned early in 1871, and two years and a half were to pass in futile court wranglings before sh,e obtained her liberty-and then only through the intercession of her youngest born, the baby of the family, Soledad. This girl was at that time a pretty little child, barely four years old. Decked in the finery of a country lass she danced at the Dominican casa-hacienda before Governor-General Izquierdo, who was on a provincial visit.

She so captivated the Governor-General by her childish beauty th;lt he promised to grant her any request.

"Oh, please, Your Excellency," she whispered in awe, "release my mother from prison."

"Who is this girl's mother?" he questioned those around him. "Set her free-at once!"

Great was the rejoicing in the Mercado household, but to young Jose the whole affair was a bitter lesson in Spanish friendship and justice.

The Mercados had planned to send Jose to Manila, but the misfortunes which befell the family forced him to stay the next two years in Kalamba. To pass the time, he studied under a local schoolmaster, but such were the shortcomings of the teacher that all Jose learned during the period was the multiplication table.

THE GREAT MALAYAN In the meantime, discontent against the oppressive rule of the Spaniards was brewing in many parts of the Islands, leading to events which were to influence profoundly the life of the ten-year-old boy in Kalamba. A young native priest, Father Jose Burgos, had led the movement opposing the transfer of parishes from the control of native secular priests to the four friar corporations staffed by Spaniards, and cited the decision of the Council of Trent to support his contention.

In 1872 the garrison at Cavite across IVfanila Bay staged an armed rebdlion, which was ruthlessly crushed, and the government seized the excuse to implicate Father Burgos and two other native priests in the uprising. The semblance of a trial for sedition was held and the three priests were strangled with a garrote in Bagumbayan, a park south of the Walled City.

To the credit of the church, it refused to unfrock the three victims, thus implying it believed in their innocence. Scores of liberal-minded Filipinos were exiled, or had to seek refuge abroad. Notable among these were the Regidors who went to London, the Taveras to Paris, and the Basa family to Hongkong. A decade later, Jose was to meet these emigres.

Jose's brother, Paciano, then a student in the College of San Jose in Manila, had collected contributions for Father Burgos, who needed funds for his work of propaganda. Later, he was outspoken in his denunciation of the injustice done to his hero. As a result, the friars forced him to leave college by refusing to let him take the examinations. An embittered Paciano abandoned his studies and returned to Kalamba to lead the life of a farmer.

The dreaded word filib'Ustero-r~bel-began to be whispered around among the better-educated Filipinos. It was the first time that the word appeared in daily conversation although it was still unknown to the great mass of the people.

Officials tagged indios who showed signs of intellectual revolt with that word.

CHANGES FAMILY NAME "The words filib1(,stero~ Cavite, and Burgos must never be mentioned in this house," Francisco Mercado warned his children. He ~issed his wife sorely and did not wish any of their children to share her fate.

Four months after the execution of the three priests, Jose, who was not quite eleven years old, was taken by his brother to Manila to continue his education. To avoid obstacles which authorities might raise, because the name Mercado was beginning to be identified with filib'Ustero~ Paciano advised Jose to use Rizal as the family name. The entire family preferred to be called Mercado and were known by that name in Kalamba and elsewhere. Jose at first felt uneasy with his new surname-people might think he was an illegitimate child!

He took and passed the entrance examination in the three required subjects of Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading. Then he enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal, the school run by the Jesuits. The Jesuits, after being expelled from the Islands a century before, as elsewhere under the Spanish flag, had recently returned and established a revolutionary technique of instruction: in their school the native was treated as a Spaniard, with no humiliating distinction between the two races. Under the pr~vious method of education, Filipinos were not allowed to sleep in the same dormitory with Spanish students. They were forced to speak only in Latin, to sleep on floor mats, and to eat with their fingers. Therefore, the Jesuit school became popular among the more progressive and wealthier Filipinos. .

Sickly in appearance and undersized for his age, Jose was very nearly refused admission into the Ateneo. Another reason was that he had enrolled a few weeks late. However, Don Manuel Xeres, a nephew of Father Burgos, interceded in his behalf and Jose donned the white coat, striped shirt, reaclymade black tie, and cream-colored hempen trousers of an Ateneo student. As regularly as he attended classes he frequented

THE GREAT MALAYAN the college chapel where ' he offered fervent prayers to the Almighty for his scholastic success and the early liberation of his mother. An elderly spinster named Titay ran a boarding house outside the city walls, twenty-five minutes away on foot.

As she owed the Mercados $300, Jose boarded with her in order to collect in part the long-standing debt.

To encourage students in their lessons, the wise Jesuits divided their classes into two opposing academic camps: RJmans versus Greeks or Carthaginians. Under the stimulus of competition, the boys studied harder than if they were threatened with the whip. Heads of the two groups were given the title of emperor, but their positions could be challenged by their immediate lieutenants.

Jose knew very little Spanish. He could understand it but could not speak it and was therefore placed at the foot of the class. At the end of one week, he began to move up.

A month later, he became one of the two emperors, and was duly rewarded with ÂŁIi card containing the colored image of one of the saints. In three months he was given the rating of excellent and was awarded a prize. However, one of his teachers spoke to him crossly; and for the remainder of the term, Jose had no interest in striving for first place.

At the end of the school year, in March, 1873, he returned to Kalamba. He paid a surprise visit to his mother in the Santa Cruz jail and cheered her up with the news of the good grades he had made in school. The following June, when classes opened, he decided to live nearer the school and boarded within the Walled City on Calle Magallanes. This time, when Christmas vacation came, he proudly carried a gold medal to his mother, who was still in jail. Playing the role of a prophet, he told her she would be released in three months, and by some trick of coincidence his prediction came true. The release of his mother cheered him up considerably. He determined to study harder in order to make his parents proud of him. Furthermore, he wanted to catch the. attention of his

ATENEO DE MANILA classmates, to compensate for his being one of the smallest in the class.

He suffered from a stiff neck, which he treated with mustard plasters, and was often sick with fever. The school physician who examined him said he had tuberculosis in the first stage. He was slightly bowlegged and h~d a large head for his frail body. His larger companions made fun of him, the way children do, until one day when they paused in their taunts he quietly said: "Gentlemen-thanks!" The students were so taken aback that they accepted him as one of their own and ceased to tease him.

Once, two of the strongest boys in the class had a fight.

A thick Latin dictionary, hurled by one of the two, missed its target and hit unsuspecting Jose on the forehead. Rizal stayed in the school infirmary for two days. As punishment the two rivals were made to kneel in the patio.

School life in the Ateneo continued placidly for the next few years, with Jose garnering one prize after another. He 'became a boarder in the school and was given a room at one corner of the dormitory facing Manila Bay. The room was about two meters square and contained an iron bedstead, a small table with a washbasin, a clothes-hanger, and a small table on which a cake of soap, comb and brush, tooth powder, toothbrush, and other toilet articles were kept. The little money he had, he kept hidden under his pillow.

Students were allowed to go to their rooms only twice a day; once at noon to wash before lunch, and at night to sleep.

A servant filled and emptied the water basin in the morning and afternoon. The rest of the day the students spent in the study hall, in the playgrounds, in classes, in the dining room, or in the chapel. On Sundays and on the holidays, which studded the Catholic calendar, the Ateneo students changed to a dark jacket and vest for a stroll in columns of two along the Malecon drive and around the Luneta park. The salt

THE GREAT MALAYAN water of the bay came quite close to the Malecon, and the white sails of the bancas in the distance reminded Jose so much of his own Laguna de Bay. H.is leisure hours he spent in devouring one novel after another. Years before, in Kalamba, he had read a historical novel about the last Moor in Spain, El cJltimo Abencerraje) but the book was dull compared to "The Count of Monte Cristo." The boy of twelve lived through the adventures of Dumas' hero, suffered when the hero was thrown in the dungeons of the Chateau d'H, and exulted when the count exacted his long-awaited vengeance. On the pretext that he had to study Historia Universal) he badgered his father into buying a complete set of the encyclopaedic works of Cesar Cantu; and the diverse knowledge thus gathered helped him tremendously in his studies. In this manner he acquired the language of Castile through constant reading. One of his professors; Father Sanchez, enco!u.raged him in his love of literature and took pams to correct his early efforts along that line. He thrilled to the sonorous phrases of Cervantes and Zorrilla, rolling their majestic words on his tongue in the privacy of his room. He continued with his early habit of writing verses and bits of poetry. He even attempted to write a novel, full of romantic sentiment, but gave it up after scribbling a dozen pages in his notebook.

His hobby of drawing and sketching received much encouragement from the Jesuit teacher who drilled him in the fundamentals of the art. Philosophy also had its attraction for the Kalamba student. The eternal quest for truth in philosophy held his interest. Physics opened a new realm for him. He understood for the first time such phenomena as light, heat, sound, electricity, and color. Polarization made him stand in awe at the threshold of science. Fascinated by these subjects he determined to study them more in the near future. On the other hand, Natural History proved dreary; he recoiled from the indiscriminate grouping of wild animals

FATHER LOPEZ with the tame, of consolidating living things, such as birds, with inanimate objects. Sea-shells, hoivever, proved interesting, and he pictured them at the bottom of the sea or lake caressed by exotic sea weeds and beautiful nymphs. At times he could almost imagine a sea goddess perched on the hug'e pearl shell kept on exhibit in the school museum.

Jose spent his vacations in his home town. Christmas recess was always a happy event because then he was again surrounded by his parents and sisters; while early each March he brought home medals testifying to his scholastic abilities.

The hot summer months of April and May passed quickly each year. He roamed the dry rice paddies, or fished along the river or on the lake. He collected butterflies, insects, and botanical specimens for his pleasure. Many times he would go to the convent 'a djoining the parish church across the street, and visit old Father Leoncio Lopez, who had baptized him many years ago. Father Lopez was a Filipino, tall and erect despite his seventy years; he was cultured, just, liberal, and tolerant, but timid and tender. He was a musician, a poet, and a naturalist. He never mixed in politics, in or out of the church, not even in the election of the town's gobe1'nadorcillo. In that and other respects he was the opposite of the great majority of Spanish curates.

Francisco Mercado, a distant relative, was Father Lopez' best friend; and among the children, young Jose was his favorite. Jose was fourteen when he wrote a poem which he recited one day before his adoring mother. Father Leoncio happened to be visiting them.

"I doubt if you wrote that poem," remarked the visitor.

"You must have copied it from some book."

The young author lost his temper and replied hotly but the mother immediately checked lier son with a scolding. He felt doubly hurt and harbored a feeling of resentment against the priest.

20

THE GREAT MALAYAN

Six months later, when he learned from the Jesuits that Jose could really write poetry, Father Lopez journeyed to Manila tq offer his apologies to the young student. This act of courtesy made them fast friends for life.

On graduation eve, March 13, 1877, Rizal was tormented by a melancholic despondency. He was sad at the thought of leaving. From his room he watched the moonlight over the bay and the lighthouse at the mouth of the Pasig river sending out its rays to mariners. The sea was smooth. " everything seemed to predict that on the morrow he would lead another life. His Ateneo days had been sheltered, spent in study, prayers, and the companionship of good friends. What 路 would the future bring? He did not go to sleep until one o'clock in the morning. At dawn he awoke, dressed quickly, and stole into the chapel, where he 'prayed fervently on bended knees. To the Blessed Virgin Mary he offered his life, so that she WOl ld protect him when he reached that future world he dreaded so much.

Graduating at the head of the class with the degree of Bachelor of Arts-roughly corresponding to the present day high school diploma-spurred young Rizal to continue his studies. A year before he had written a poem insisting that in education lay the hope and salvation of the native youth of the land. Quite naturally, he wanted to practise what he preached. Back in K alamba, during the vacation, a family council was held to decide what young Jose should do. The menfolk in the family, Francisco and Paciano, were unanimous in wishing to have the I5-year-old boy attend the University of Santo Tomas. But 1\1rs. :M ercado was unyielding.

"Don't send our youngest son back to Manila-he knows enough," she pleaded. Perhaps she could not bear the thought of her baby boy falling into the clutches of an intolerant government-she had had a taste of it herself. The numerous political exiles and prisoners were specters which warned her

FAMILY COUNCIL

21

that education beyond the elementary stage was dangerous for an indio.

Jose, who witnessed the scene, was taken by surprise.

Could that be his mother saying those words? She was not a woman of merely average culture, she knew literature and spoke Spanish better than anyone in their family; she had even corrected his verses and advised him about doubtful questions of rhetoric while at the Ateneo; she was also a mathematician and was widely read. Her father, who, had been one of the few distinguished deputies from the Islands to the Spanish Cortes, had been her tutor. Her brother, Jose Alberto, had been educated abroad. He spoke German, English, and French besides Spanish, and had been decorated with a knighthood in the order of Isabel the Catholic. Yet it was apparent she did not want her son to study further.

"If he gets to know any more," she warned her husband, "they will cutoff his head!"

The elder Rizal kept quiet. But when the time for classes came, Paciano again accompanied his younger brother to Manila despite the tears shed by their mother.

CHAPTER II N EPISODE. that summer first awakened Jose's interest in girls. He had met plenty of girls during his fifteen years: there were his sisters, his cousins, and the girls who came to their house during the fiestas accompanied by their parents or relatives. But they had never interested him in a personal, emotional way-he had been too young.

A

Early that April, a fe"", days after Easter, he decided to go swimming near Los Banos, a hot springs resort only several kilometers southeast of Kalamba. He boarded a carromata which soon took him to his destination. It was a lovely su~足 mer day: the early morning sun made the sugar cane stalks and the green leaves on the trees gleam like so many bits of glass.

Nearby he could see the town of Los Banos with its church, parochial convent, and nipa huts nestling between the blue waters of Laguna de Bay and the twin peaks of Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal in the distance.

The two-wheeled vehicle stopped near a stream. Jose undressed, put on only bathing trunks, and told the driver to . wait. The water felt cool around his legs. He decided to walk upstream. The bamboo trees joined overhead like the roof of a Gothic church, while the thick leaves of the mango, the jack, and the sant6l trees shielded the sandy bed of the stream from the scorching sun. He passed a group of washerwomen squatting on flat stones, busy pounding piles of clothes with wooden paddles and chattering like sparrows. He continued walking for several minutes until the sharp stones began to hurt his feet. Suddenly he heard a young voice singing. He adjusted his trunks and quickened his pace. Reaching a turn in the stream, he saw a young girl taking a bath.

She was about fourteen, and .pretty. Her long black hair was draped over her olive-brown shoulders. She wore a red 22

ADOLESCENCE

23

skirt wound under her arms with a thin black sash over it .â&#x20AC;˘ and around her smoothly rounded shoulders a gossamer-like towel white as milk. She gave a little cry of surprise, blushed, drew her towel a little closer, then shyly smiled at him.

On the bank was an elderly woman of about fifty, shampooing her hair with gug6. Beside her was a basket of fruit and some flowers.

Jose suddenly felt confused. Were it not for her companion, he would have taken her for some nymph or fairy.

His face turned red as the macopa. He wanted to talk to her, but was afraid and instead continued to walk upstream. He wanted to stop, but couldn't; he wanted to greet her, but could only gulp.

She stopped singing to ask her grandmother in Tagalog; "Is it already 10 o'clock?"

"Probably," repred the old woman. "Come and '\vash your hair with gug6 so that we can go home."

"Could you please wait a minute, Granny?" she pleaded.

"I want to catch a butterfly."

Jose eyed her furtively. He didn't want to stare at her, for that would be showing his lack of breeding. She seemed to him more beautiful than when he first saw her. Her oval face, big brown eyes, and long eyelashes fascinated him. He felt it was the polite thing to keep on moving, yet he wanted to stay behind. If he did go, he felt it would be foolish for him to return.

She had slowly separated herself from her grandmother while chasing a butterfly, which finally alighted on a flower near him. She stood poised with hand outstretched, like a forest nymph, when Jose accidentally slipped on a mossy stone making a loud splash. The butterfly, scared by the noise and movement, flew away.

"Ah!" she sighed and looked at him with sweet reproach.

24

THE GREAT MALAYAN

Blushing redder than the mabulo) Jose wanted to apologize, but the words died on his lips.

Again she sighed and haltingly retraced her steps. Jose immediately searched the glade for butterflies and saw two blue ones flirting in mid-air. In a fe,路v seconds he had caught 'o ne, then the other. His heart began to beat faster as he mentally rehearsed what he would tell her. vVarriors, he felt, who presented the laurel leaves of victory to their country could not be happier than he with the two butterflies pinched between his fingers.

She gave a little cry of pleasure when she saw him approaching with his spoils. She was now sitting near her grandmother and trying to open a coconut. Jose felt the blood rush to his face. The short distance between them seemed very far as he covered the ground beneath her appraising glance. He was glad he had taken up gymnasium exercises and calisthenics at the Ateneo, for he was rapidly overcoming his early puniness. He felt very naked, but shyly proud of his masculine nudity.

"Sefiorita," he told her in flowery Tagalog, the language of Florante, for his eloquence had magically returned, "please be kind enough to accept these two butterflies, although they are not so pretty as you. If you do not I shall think that you still hold a grudge against me because of my clumsiness."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling. "But you tired yourself for me, and it wasn't worth it ... " She took the butterflies and examined them with childish happiness.

"Will you allow me to split the coconut?" Jose added.

He saw that her efforts in that direction had been futile.

"Oh, don't bother, thanks just the same," she. said and prepared to pick up the bolo.

"It's no bother." Jose took the, bolo and busied himself chopping off the husk.

IN LOVE WITH LOVE

25

She was turning the butterflies around.

"Is it true, sir, that the dust from the wings can blind a person? At least that's what they've told me."

"For some eyes-probably," he replied gallantly. "But for eyes that possess such long lashes. .. their movement sends away all dust floating in the air ... " He offered her the newly-opened coconut. She took it and urged her grandmother to drink, but as the latter declined, the gi-rl offered it to him instead. He refused.

"Perhaps you fear that the liquid is poisoned," she teased.

"I shall drink first and if I die ... " She placed her lips against the opening and drank. "How sweet and fresh it is!" she exclaimed.

"And you said 't was poisoned and you would die," he smiled back.

I She ,,,ras silent, but looked at him in such a way that he guessed she wanted to be alone with her grandmother. He volunteered to gather some flowers which grew wild along the banks of the stream. He did not want to leave without seeing her again, and after an interval returned with a bunch of flowers.

She had dressed by now, and her simple beauty nearly took his breath away. She had on a white chemise, a shawl with blue stripes, a rose-colored skirt, and a silk sash from Malabon, while the wooden shoes from Binan, which imprisoned her tiny feet, made her seem taller than she really was.

He presented his simple bouquet. asked for the names of the flowers.

She thanked hiin a~d

"Senorita," he replied, "do not wonder that I know them not, although later I shall probably know their names. How many flowers still more beautiful have I ignored?"

She blushed and turned to go. The more he looked at her, the better he liked her. She was so happy, so alive, that he

THE GREAT MALAYAN could not help being attracted to her. How different she was from the majority of the Filipino girls! She was shy, she was modest as the true Filipino gir,l he had idealized in the secret recesses of his boyish heart should be, but fortunately she was not insufferably and unnecessarily bashful. Everything in her radiated happiness, which contrasted with his own melancholic temperament. Her eyes sparkled, her lips were always moving or smiling, and even her hands spoke. He accompanied them to the road, where he offered to drive them to Los Banos. He learned during the trip they were not from that place, and that her name was Julia.} He returned to Kalamba that' aftenioon, filled with v~gue longings, with a restless desire for something he knew not what. He was but fifteen and had never been in love.

A few years later he analyzed the feelings which disturbed him all that summer. 'What dreams I then had! I saw the world through a crystal which made it beautiful and poetic!

Like a child I was confident of finding in my path neither dramas nor tragedies but pastoral poems and idyls. I believed in the word of man and even in that of woman. Yes, I was timid. I had a certain instinctive fear, but that was because there were in me two men; one, naturally trusting, happy and eager to give and allow himself to be seduced by the first impression; another, somewhat suspicious, prejudiced, an effect no doubt of the warnings and theoretical lessons given before my entrance into the vast halls of farce and deceit.

From the latter were born doubts, conflicts, vacillations, which always defeated my natural self, and from these struggles I acquired a certain melancholy-the child of doubt and unfulfilled vague desires." He diverted this incipient romantic urge into his studies, deceiving himself up to a certain point.

"Certainly," he mocked himself later for his ignorance, "if during that period a deity had appeared and, divihing my . } For some reason or other. Rizal changed the girl's name second draft of the essay relating lhis incidenl.

(0

Minang in the

HIS FIRST SWEETHEART aspirations or desires (which I myself did not know well) , had promised to fulfill them, I would have allowed myself to be guided in all my theories and thoughts." \Vhen he did fall in love, some months later, it was with a girl betrothed to another man. On school holidays, accompanied by Mariano Katigbak, a college friend from Lipa, he was in the habit of visiting his grandmother who lived in Trozo, a northern suburb. On one such visit, he met her.

She was named Segunda and was the younger sister of his friend. Knowing his talent for drawing, his friends urged him to make a pencil portrait of her, and he agreed after a modest protest.

Segunda Katigbak was small, with brown eyes that reflected her changing moods, and rosy lips that often smiled to show her even white teeth. She was like a sylph, radiating happiness all around her, he thought, as he traced her likeness on paper. She was fresh and virginal in her fourteen years like the sweet-scented sampaguita in the early morning dew.

She was not the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, he candidly admitted to himself, but she was so charming and gracious that he felt extremely self-conscious in her presence.

She played a game of chess with him. While they were playing her classmates chattered such praises of his ability as an artist that he could not concentrate on the moves he ought to make. Whenever she glanced at him, he would blush and make the wrong move. He lost in short order. Her fiance, a tall, wen-dressed young man, was present and played games with the other girls. The conversation turned to a discussion of novels and literature, and Jose acquitted himself well with his light banter. The party broke up early so that the girls could return to Concordia College. Because she was engaged to another man, Jose thought no more of her that day.

He was to see more of her, however, during the latter half of that year on his weekly visits to the college where his

THE GREAT MALAYAN elder sister Olympia was also a boarder. But on the half dozen occasions that they met, they barely exchanged greetmgs.

Segunda, with the wisdom of a woman despite her tender years, soon became Olympia's closest friend. Thus, when Katigbak invited Jose one Thursday to visit their respective sisters at the college, she was in the sala to receive them.

After greeting them, she left to call Olympia. Jose watched her quick movements and thought he had never seen a human being move so gracefully. He had already forgotten Julia.

The four chatted for a while. Then Mariano left to talk with another girl, his sweetheart, and Olympia tactfully withdrew on some excuse, leaving Segunda and Jose alone in the big sala.

"Do you like flowers?" she inquired.

"Indeed, I do," he answered.

"What kind of flowers?"

"Oh, every kind, but in particular black and white flowers-but what do you like?"

"White and pink flowers," she answered, pensive for a second, and added: "Yes, I also like black ones."

Jose was quiet.

"Do you have a sweetheart?" she asked after a minute.

"No-I've never thought of having one because I know that nobody would pay attention to me, specially the pretty ones."

"What's this? You're deceiving yourself-shall I find one for you?"

"Thank you, senorita, but I do not wish to bother you."

At that moment he remembered she was promised to another man and would get married that coming December. He asked: "Are you going back to your town this December?"

"No," she dryly answered.

CONCORDIA COLLEGE

29

"They say that in your town a big fiesta will be held, that you will take a leading part, and that it cal)not be held without your participation."

"No," she shook her head for emphasis, then smiled.

"My parents want me to go back, but I don't want to, because I wish to stay in sch091 for at least five more years."

With that out of the way, the talk became more natural.

Every time she looked at him, Jose felt his heart skip a beat.

The tall grandfather's clock in the sala struck seven. Mariano returned, for it was time to go.

"Do you want me to do anything?" Segunda asked, as the young men turned to go.

"Senorita," he bowed, "I've never been accustomed to command ladies. I expect them to order me around."

Jose called regularly at the college twice a week, on Thursday and Sunday afternoons. His apparent purpose was to visit his sister, but in reality he went in the hope of seeing Segunda. He me her father during one of these visits.

He also presented her with a pencil sketch, copied from a photograph, because he felt that路 the first drawing he made of her didn't do justice either to the subject or the artist.

Olympia casually mentioned that her chum had made some artificial flowers, and when Segunda offered him a white flower with the explanation that his sister had made it, he accepted the pretense with the present. She fastened the paper flower on his hatband. The following week, Olympia presented him with a red rose.

"Who fashioned these flowers?" he asked Segunda, when they managed to be alone. "I know my sister is incapable of making such beautiful ones, and I want to know to whom I am indebted."

She bowed her head and blushingly confessed, "I did."

"Thank you. I promise to keep them as long as I live."

After some seconds he said: "Do you know it's very sad for me to lose you after knowing you?"

THE GREAT MALAYAN "But I'm not going to get married," she said. Two tears fell down her cheeks. She had noticed the ardent looks he gave her. Her bosom heaved irregularly.

Jose spent a restless night. Was he in love? Were these the signs of true love? But she was engaged to marry another man, he doggedly told himself. With all his will power, he fought against the longings of his heart. He thought perhaps she really loved him and that her feelings towards her fiance were those of a very young girl whose heart had not yet opened to know true love. He took stock of himself: he was not rich, he was not a lady-killer, neither handsome nor famous-what could any girl see in him? If she loved him, then she must really and truly love him. Confound it! there he was making all sorts of excuses for her. Despite her denials, everybody said she was betrothed. He decided to find out if she really loved him before surrendering his heart completely to this charmipg lass of Lipa.

The following week he went alone to the college, carrying a letter addressed to her. Instead of calling for her, as he could have done, he sent for her younger sister and delivered the letter. The next t.ime hF. c.alled at the college Olympia told him that Segunda was very sad over what he had done.

Mariano came to call on his sister, and when she came out she barely returned Jose's greeting with a cool nod. Just be-fore he left, Olympia whispered: "Segunda wants you to come accompanied by her brother, so that you can call on her."

Outwardly, Jose was calm but within he felt like singing and jumping. She really cared for him!

The months passed quickly. Thursday and Sunday of each week were blessed days. He haunted the college premises until their friends began to whisper that they were in love. He liked to remember her with raven hair down to her shoulders, simply dressed, and with a smile on h~r lips, as on that .day he came to see her after a short absence.

TONGUE-TIED LOVER "Have you been sick?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes, but I'm all right now, thanks to you ... " "Oh! I prayed for you last night, fearing that some ill might have befallen you."

"Thank you, but I'm afraid I'll always want to fall sick because in that way I'll always be lucky enough to have you remember me. Besides, death might do me a lot of good."

"What! do you really want to die-that's too bad." She clucked her tongue in mockery.

No word of love passed between them. He spent sleepless nights thinking about her, the smoothness of her cheek, the sparkle in her eyes, and the curve on her smiling lips.

But he was afraid to tell her what he felt. He was not so much afraid of loving her, as of love itself. For the first time in his sixteen years, he realized he was falling in love and was afraid of entrusting this all-consuming passion to the fragile . haI).ds of a woman. He was perplexed and confused by the emotions she awoke within hirnJ, and being an adolescent prone to introspective meditation, he postponed telling her until it was too late.

She was returning to Lipa; that December at the order of her parents. Jose went to bid her good-bye. They spoke very little, and in monosyllables. The long silences were pregnant with unspoken words.

"What day are you going back?" he asked.

"Next Saturday." That was two days thence. ''I'm going tomorrow," he volunteered. He read her thoughts and lamely explained: ''I'd like to delay my departure for a day, but it would be embarrassing for me to change the date of my return-anyway, we'll see each other again in Kalamba."

She didn't say anything. She raised her eyes to the sky.

She was probably thinking what a shy young man he wasdid he expect her to do the proposing? Why, she had even admitted she wouldn't mind living 111 his town--eould any

32

THE GREAT l\-lALAYAN

girl express her feelings more clearly than she had these past months without over-stepping the bounds of propriety?

But he had conscientious scruples which he could not brush aside, although in the weeks to come he wished a thousand times he had spoken what was in his heart instead of keeping silent. Thus it would be with him in the years to come, when he placed honor and duty above every other consideration, including the sweet promptings of his lonely heart.

He tossed in his bed that night, and for the first time in his life felt what it meant to be in love with a woman 'Who could not be his. His love for her waxed stronger within him as he debated to himself all angles of the affair. Suddenly, he was sure he was truly in love and that his love was indeed very different from all the other loves he had read of in books or heard of from friends.

Back in Kalamba the next day, he was shocked to find that his mother recognized him only after some time, as she was fast becoming blind. His sisters greeted him warmly, while his father, who was gladdest of all to see him back, said very little except to watch him fondly. They teased him about Segunda, but he tried to hide his true feelings. His family was surprised that night when he won a bout from the swordsman in town, dazzling his opponent with fiery attacks which relieved some of the bitterness in his heart.

The following day he learned that the boat carrying her would not touch at Kalamba because of the high wind, and instead had anchored in Biiian. He saddled a white horse 'a nd rode north to meet her. He overtook her family riding in carromatas) but when he saw that her fiance was with the party, he decided to wait for her beside the road adjoining his family's sugar mill.

After what seemed an interminable time, she passed in a carromata) surrounded by her sister and college friends. She waved a handkerchief, smiling at him, and he doffed his hat

REGRETS

33

with a bow. He rode up to the party. They asked him to accompany them to Lipa, but he declined.

How bitterly he regretted that decision! At that instant he realized he was abandoning her to the will of her parents in a marriage to a man not of l].er heart's desire. "It was always thus with me in the most painful moments of my life," he reminisced four years later. "My usually loquacious tongue becomes mute when my heart is filled with sentiment. Her carriage passed like a shadow and left as a trace a horrible vacuum in the world of my affections. " I was going to follow them, as I was on a good horse, but in the critical moments of my life I have always acted against my wishes in obedience to divergent conclusions and powerful doubts ...

Thus ended my first love affair and my heart will decry forever the hasty step I took in the abyss covered with flowers.

Yes, my illusions will return, but in a different manner and prepared for the first deception on the road to love."

Jose returned home feeling dazed. His melancholic mood returned, and he tortured himself with self-reproachhe had completely lost the only woman who could ever satisfy the aspirations of his heart. He spent the next two evenings visiting a local beauty in <\.n effort to forget Segunda, but in vain. The barrio belle even spoke of love, but the wounds of his first love still throbbed with pain.

AYALA LIBRARY

CHAPTER III OSF. ENROLLED at the University of Santo Tomas that June, although he continued .taking a few courses at the Ateneo. For a time he was uncertain as to what career he would take up, but his mother's increasing blindness was a decisive factor in his choice to become a doctor. She had developed cataracts in both eyes and was gradually losing her eyesight.

However, the atmosphere around the university failed to agree with the sensitive spirit of the Kalamba student. For one thing; a spirited rivalry existed between the preparatory school of the Jesuits and that of the Dominican friars. U niversity professors were not above partisanship and openly favored graduates of their own preparatory institution. Rizal was the star graduate of the Ateneo, the wonder boy of the Jesuits, and hindrances were therefore placed to prevent his excelling classmates trained by the white-robed friars. Another reason was that the method of instruction followed was almost as hoary with age as the moss-covered walls of the pontifical institution. In the phy~ics class that Jose attended, for example, actual demonstration of the working of physical principles with laboratory apparatus was unusual. Years later Rizal described one of these classes in his El Filibusterismo or Reign of Greed.

J

Students left their classes as ignorant as when they 'Yent in. Not only were initiative and the thirst for knowledge suppressed but youthful enthusiasm and wounded dignity were converted into hatred and sloth. The friar-teachers were unwittingly helping to sow the whirlwind that was to break out two decades later into the revolution.

Rizal's contempt for the white man increased during his stay at the university. Even as far back as his initial year at 34

DOES RACE INFLUENCE BRAIN?

35

the Ateneo, when he first came in contact with Spanish students, he made secret comparisons between the two races. The Spaniards took it for granted they were superior to the indios.

But was that really true? inquired Rizal. He could discover no difference in the intellectual level of the whites and the Malays. There were lazy and industrious, moral and immoral, dull and intelligent boys in both groups. He reasoned out in his boyish mind that since Spaniards received instruction in their mother tongue while Filipinos had to surmount language difficulties, and since the latter surpassed them in their mutual studies, therefore Filipinos were intellectually the superior of the two! Filipinos, he knew, very well, showed respect for Spaniards not because the former were inherently inferior but because their attitude was .dictated by fear and self-interest.

Matching scorn with contempt for the word indio) natives dubbed all Spaniards kastilas. These observations carefully made and as slowly digested, gradually awakened in his breast patriotic sentiments. By the time he was fifteen, he was a budding but confirmed nationalist. The sneering regard Spaniards had for Jose solely because of his color was a continual barb to his self-respect and spurred him to excel in every line of human endeavor. In 1877 Rizal won a feather-shaped silver pen, the prize offered by a society known as the Liceo Literario-Artistico for the best poem written by a Filipino. The poem, dedicated to "La Juventud Filipina," differed from his previous efforts in that it was a veiled call to the patriotism of Filipino youth, "fair hope of our fatherland." A few years later the same society held a contest in honor of Cervantes, author of the immortal Don Quixote. Entries were made under assumed names.

That of Rizal won. When the judges learned an indio had placed first, they unscrupulously hoisted the second-place winner, a Spaniard, to the top. Rizal was disgusted, but what could he do? He began to flirt with the idea of finishing his studies abroad.

..

/. I

THE GREAT MALAYAN A respite hom the stultifying atmosphere of the pontifical university was the Escuela de Bellas Artes, where Jose took lessons under the expert and encouragin-g guidance of Agustin Saez. To the director of the school, art was universal and surmounted all barriers of color or language; hence, talented Filipino artists received much encouragement from him. Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecci6n Hidalgo .were his pet pupils, and he encouraged them both to study further in Europe. Rizal thought he could paint landscapes, and spent many hours before his easel, but gradually realized he lacked the divine spark that makes a great painter. At the end. of his freshman year at the university, he bought a small mother-of-pearl box with the fifteen pesos his mother had given him, and presented it to Don Agustin as a mark of his esteem.

He also decided to take up music, and studied the tedious solfeggio. He started learning how to play the flute, but gave it up. He had a passable baritone voice, but soon abandoned any hope of becoming an opera singer for, as he humorously explained to a classmate, "If you were in Spain and had heard me sing, you would most probably think the asses were braying."

Music was an art in which he utterly failed despite dogged attempts to master its rudiments.

For several months after his affair with Miss Katigbak, Rizal nursed a bruised heart. The young, however, have remarkable recuperative powers and it was not very long afterwards that he fell under the spell of a pair of provocative eyes and smiling lips. Lesmor Valenzuela was almost as tall as Jose himself. She had the dignity and regal bearing of one born to the purple. She lived in Intramuros, a neighbor of Dona Concha Leyva, in whose house Rizal boarded during his sophomore -year at the university.

A bevy of schoolmates visited the house of the Valenzuelas regularly. -Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday, parents of three girls, welcomed the joy and the laughter that the young men and women brought into their house. Rizal became a frequent

SILVESTRA RIVERA

Mother of Leonor, Rizal's sweetheart since hi student days at the University of Santo Tomas. Her oppo ition to a marriag-e with Rizal forced her daug-hter to a loveless union with an Eng-Ii h eng-ineer.

(Courtesy Leon eio Bou son)

LEONOR VALENZUELA

She was tall and of reg-al bearing, and Rizal squired her for a time entertaining her friends wi th sleight of hand tricks.

..

(Coll,rle sy Feliciano Pat erno)

LEONOR VALENZUELA

37

visitor. He liked the company of genial -men and charming women. He paid special attention to Orang, as she was nicknamed, and sent her notes written in invisible ink. He had learned in his chemistry course that common table salt and water left no trace when used as an ink; what was written with the fluid became visible only after the letter had been heated over a lamp or candle. He had picked up card tricks and mystified his audience with them. His pet trick was spreading a pack of cards on the table face down.

"Choose any card," he'd tell the girls.

Then he would shuffle the deck, and with appropriate hocus-pocus unerringly pick the card to the accompaniment of the oh's and ah's of the puzzled girls. But as with Segunda, Jose stopped short of proposing to Leonor. Once burned, twice shy.

At the beginning of his junior year, he moved to the Casa Tcmasina, a boarding house only a few paces from the university, / south of the Ayuntamiento, which was then in the process of being reconstructed after the disastrous earthquake of 1863.

The Cas a Tomasina was typical of the buildings in In~ramuros: the second floor jutted out a yard over the sidewalk; the walls of the first floor were made of thick adobe stone; a swinging door at the center of the ground floor led into a short dark passage and out to a rectangular patio of flagstones. For lack of space, the house adjoined its neighbors, transforming the ground floor into a humid and gloomy place to live in; but because of its proximity to the schools, the Casa Tomasina was thronged with boarders who at that time numbered some thirty odd male students. Antonio Rivera and his wife Silvestra managed the place. They were distant relatives of the Rizal's, hailing from Kamiling, then in Pangasinan. He addressed them as uncle and aunt.

On school holidays, Jose woke up late with the luxurious feeling that he need not hurry to catch classes. In the evenings he accompanied the younger boarders on a promenade around

t~e

Malecon and the Luneta. e delighted in instilling patriotic sentiments into the younger boys,. who would sometimes shock their more conservative classmates by repeating what they had heard from Jose. With residents of the Casa Tomasina as the nucleus, Rizal organized a society called Companerismo) signific~ntly composed only of Filipino students.

The organization had its rules and by-laws, passwords as well as initiation rites, and members called themselves Jehus) a fantastic name but completely attractive to their adolescent minds.

Rizal was barely nineteen when he first came in direct contact with the armed branch of the sovereign power. He was in Kalamba and the summer vacation was coming to a close.

One evening, as he came out of their brightly-lit house, he failed to identify an indistinct mass in the darkness of the street as the teniente of the guardia civil. Furious at Rizal's failure to raise his hat, the officer viciously struck him on the back with a bunt6t pagi. The cane left a livid line, as the thin pifia shirt offered no protection.

"You're under arrest!" snarled the officer.

Jose was duly released, but not until he had been threatened with banishment from the Islands. The wound was not serious, but it was painful and took two weeks to heal. He immediately left for Manila to demand redress from the Governor-General, but the lackeys at 1\1alacafian Palace bluntly told him such an august personage as the representative of His Most Catholic Majesty could not be bothered with the petty complaint of an obscure medical student. To have accepted him for an audience might have set a dangerous precedent: Imagine the thousands of indios who would come to Malacafian Palace begging for justice! It would undermine no less than the foundations of good government. The incident rankled within his breast like a festering sore.

Once, a group of about ten Filipino students met some forty Spanish cadets near the old Monte" de Piedad in Plaza

'l/I"

ENCOYNTER WITH SPANISH CADETS

39

Santa Cruz. Both11arties 'w ere armed with canes and walking sticks. The cadets were looking for trouble and taunted the Filipinos with the words "pigs and monkeys." Outnumbered, the students withdrew, believing that discretion was the better part of valor. Rizal, who had just come from the Escolta, saw_ t~eir ignominous retreat and rushing forward exclaimed: I

"There are no monkeys around. If you're looking for trouble-here I am! Come on, one by one-you cannot say we indios lack strength or valor!"

He flourished the kamag6ng stick he used as a cane. Constant physical exercise had overcome his early frailness, and he was now a broad-shouldered, muscular young man of medium height. His favorite pastime during the last few years had been the mora-mora, the native variety of self-defense which employs two short swords. Seeing that the first opponents were badly beaten in succession by the lone indio, the cadets joined forces and left him unconscious and bleeding on the ground. Charitable passers-by took him to the near-by house of a friendly teacher for first aid treatment.

The encounter did not prevent him from seeking other clashes with kastila students, and as he inevitably came out victorious the police were usually after him for disturbing the peace. He would hide in the houses of various friends in Intramuros, and on several occasions the house of Dona Concha Leyva was searched for the missing ringleader of the Filipino students. Students at the university began to regard him as the champion of their race, and the younger boarders in ' the house of the Riveras came close to worshipping him. Three of his closest frieI?-ds, fired by the immortal romance of Dumas, formed "The Three Musketeers" and unanimously chose him as Treville, their chief. "All for one, and one for all" became their motto. Boisterous young Spaniards who roamed the streets of Manila, ogling pretty girls and uttering coarse remarks or insulting brown-complexioned students, found the

40

THE GREAT

~IALAYAN

Three Musketeers doughty champions of the dignity of the Filipino race and the fair name of womanhood.

The Jesuits kept in close touch with their alumni. In 1880, about the time Jose was cheated out of first place in the literary contest in honor of Cervantes, he was elected president of the Academia de la Literatura Castellana, a society organized by the Jesuits. A noteworthy fact was that the academy had only Filipino members. A year later, the Ateneo also organized the Academia de Ciencias Filosofico-Naturales, and Rizal was elected secretary.

The honors showered on him by the Jesuits were matched . by the hostility exhibited by the Dominicans. Once when he could not stand the sadistic bullying of a classmate by a friarteacher, he openly protested against it. The teacher never forgot his audacity and vowed not to pa~s him.

Rizal found it useless to continue his medical studies at Santo Tomas. The glory reaped by native students in l\1adrid circles was talked about in proud whispers in Filipino homes, while letters of Hidalgo and other friends describing academic freedom abroad tempted him to leave at the first opportunity.

By the beginning of 1882, Jose was set on finishing his studies abroad. He would leave behind the arrogance of the peninsular kastilas~ the cruelty of the petty alcaldes and tenientes of the guardia civil~ and the ignorant dogmatism of the friar-teachers -all these were to be things of the past. He was not sorry he was leaving ... except perhaps for a twinge around his heart whenever he thought of Leonor Rivera.

When he first sa,v Leonor, she was a solemn, thin-faced girl of twelve, fresh ' from the province. She was very shy, having just emerged from pig-taIled girlhood, and on her brief visit to Manila she spoke very little to the boarders of the Casa Tomasina, although she often glanced at Jose whenever he was not looking.

However, when she returned a year later to study at Concordia College, the little butterfly from Kamiling had emerged

(Courtesy

LEONOR RIVERA AT

National Library)

15

On the back of the photograph she wrote: "To Jose from his faithful cousin." But in the code shared between them, her love flared with these words: "To my unforgettable and dearest lover, this picture is dedicated by his devoted Leonor."

HE MEETS LEON OR RIVERA from her chrysalis. Jose immediately took notice of her. She had left behind the awkwardness of girlhood; her form and face had rounded out. She wore her hair combed straight back to the crown in a little knot. He liked to see her hair loose in a curly black mass on her shoulders, and he drew a crayon portrait of her in that pose. Her complexion was a golden brown, and her skin was soft and smooth. She had small, regular features, but was far from beautiful although she had the attractiveness of youth. She was now a daughter of Eve with all the wiles of her sex. By the time she was fourteen and he twenty, their friendship had ripened into love. For Leonor, he was her first and only love, and she surrendered her virgin heart with blind abandon. True, she was young in years, but nurtured in a tropical atmosphere she had blossomed early into maturity, capable of the most passionate of attachments. To Jose she was a Galatea whom he had fashioned with infinite thought and loving care.

Their love was no meeting of two meteors in a collision of emotions to burn out soon from its own intensity, but rather the leisurely fusion of two hearts and minds with similar feelings and ideals. He was more like the sun, and she the faithful satellite. Made timid by his unfortunate experience with Segunda, he saw in the cousin who barely came up to his chin a worthy object of his affections, one whom he could mould to conform with his views on the ideal Filipino woman. He took a keen interest in her studies, tutored her in her lessons, and sough~ to shape her tastes along the same line~ as his own.

He tenderly nursed the spark of affection she showed for him until it became a flame that only death could extinguish.

From Leonor to her beloved is this letter dated December 28, 1881, four months before h<jl fifteenth birthday: Esteemed Jose: I was greatly surprised when I saw you had a letter for father and mother but not for me; at the beginning I wouldn't believe it when they told me, because I did not expect

42

THE GREAT MALAYAN a person like you to do such a thing; but later I was convinced you are like a recently opened rose which is fresh and perfumed at the beginning, but which later fades. Formerly, when I did not write to you, you wrote to me-but now you don't. It seems to me that you have imitated my example when I was in Antipolo. You've done very badly, because I was not then in my own house. Furthermore, you know very well that from those people with whom I was staying nothing can be hidden. I could very well have written to father, but as you didn't say anything, I didn't write despite mother urging me to do so. You cannot have these pretexts, for you are in your. own house and nobody can meddle with you. In truth, I'm telling you that I am very resentful of what you have done also about another thing which I'll tell you when you come. Excuse my handwriting and the faults you find in it.

Taimis.

To camouflage their letters from the prying eyes of classmates, he devised a simple code. The vowels a, e, i and 0 wen; replaced bye, a, 0, and i, respectively, and a dozen consonants were changed. I'Taimis" thus signified Leonor. She studied at Concordia College and as his youngest sister, Soledad, was a boarder there, he managed to see Leonor without causing undue comment. Tio Antonio and Tia Betang knew of their affair and did not object. Gradually it became generally known that the two were sweethearts.

On great church holidays, like the Feast of Our La4y of the Rosary, or during parochial fiestas, religious processions were held in the evenings. Hundreds, and even thousands of the devout of all ages walked in files behind the painted wooden images of the various saints, who were loaded down with goldembroidered cloth and precious jewels. Garrying lighted candles devotees filled the streets, reciting prayers or chanting hymns. Tonsured clerics in ceremonial vestments, carrying black prayer books or censers 'f rom which burning incense curled up in whitish-blue streaks, usually surrounded each enthroned saint. The more important saints were placed on wheels and

RELIGIOUS DUTIES

43

pulled by lay brothers, while the smaller images were carried by means of poles on the shoulders of the laymen. A band usually followed each saint, playing in slow tempo. Musicians often played Chopin's "Funeral March" without noticing the incongruity-but then, nobody else did. The processions wound around the streets, sometimes several kilometers long, and lasted hours, depending on the number of adherents that particular saint or parish had. In the Quiapo district, for example, the Black Nazarene was the patron saint, and on its feast day in January several thousand fervent Catholics packed the vicinity of the church; scores of men and women were trampled on every year in a frantic effort to have the privilege of carrying the Nazarene. That the saint was almost as black as kamag6ng might or might not have anything to do with its popularity-such a saint might prove more sympathetic to the prayers of devot,ees of the same color. The custom is followed to this day. The same tendency can be observed in Mexico and South America.

These processions were an emotional outlet for the religious fervor of the people, and proved popular with the younger generation. The young men liked to note the pretty girls in the procession and the demure young ladies did not object to a little admiration. Like other young men of his time, Jose was fond of attending them, not only to comply with his religious duties but also to catch a glimpse of the prettiest girls in Manila. The attention which he used to shower upon Orang Valenzuela now was claimed by Leonor Rivera.

Manong Paciano thoroughly approved of Jose's intention to study abroad. Leonor's father was also an ardent, if silent, nationalist and encouraged Jose in his ambition. Our young man hinted something about the plan to his parents who immediately and strongly opposed it. The elder Mercados could not bear the thought of having their youngest son leave the Islands-and for what? Too much learning was a dangerous thing! Had he so soon forgotten Fathers Burgos, Gomez, and

44

THE GREAT :MALAYAN

Zamora? or the countless Filipinos in exile? Wisely, Jose kept quiet and did not insist on his ambition to study abroad. But in his eldest brother and sister he found allies. Both promised to help him with money, and to pacify their parents after he had gone. He stayed that summer in Kalamba until May 1 st, keeping his parents in ignorance of his plans for departure, while Tio Antonio procured a passport for him under the original family name of "Mercado.

As he kissed the hand of his elder brother in farewell that early morning in "May, Jose nearly cried with emotion. Paciano handed him the family savings of 700 pesos. He stopped at the house of Saturnina to get a diamond ring she had offered as a reserve fund in case he should ever run out of ready cash, but she was asleep and he boarded a carromata for Manila without waking her up. Once in the city late that afternoon, he got his passage aboard the small steam vessel Salvadora, which was leaving for Singapore on the third. The ship was anchored just outside the mouth of the muddy Pasig river which was too shallow for ocean-going vessels, and launches had to be used to transport passengers from land to ship. The next day was spent in calling on friends for a hasty good-bye, shopping, and writing farewell letters, including one to his beloved parents whose pardon he humbly asked for having left without their knowledge or consent. He said good-bye to the Valenzuelas, to the Jesuits who gave him letters of introduction to members of their order in Barcelona, and to Don Agustin Saez, who felt his departure deeply.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, Jose woke up at 5 o'clock to hear Mass at the Santo Domingo church. "lowe much to this (Catholic) religion, almost everything that I am," he piously jotted down in his diary. He couldn't eat his breakfast. He felt as if he were in a trance. His bosom friend Chengoy, Jose M. Cecilio, warmly embraced him in farewell. Accompanied

by Tio Antonio, Vicente Gella, and Mateo Evangelista, Rizal walked to the quay where the Salvadora's launch was moored.

FIRST FAREWELL

45

How hard it was to say good-bye! Twice he embraced the three in an affectionate but silent farewell. How much more difficult it would have been if Leonor Rivera were in Manila! She was in Pangasinan for the summer, and the letter he had writ;:ell her explained everything.

"Be a man!" his friends said, clapping him on the back.

He boarded the launch that was to take him away from his beloved country, his parents, friends, and sweetheart. On land were many hearts who could make him happy, yet he was leaving them. He wondered if he would find them as free when he came back as when he left. Perhaps, he thought, in leaving for Europe to seek knowledge he was merely chasing an empty idea, a false illusion-and at what cost? He was not self-centered enough to think that the hearts he had left behind, sorrowing at his departure, would fail in time to find others who would also make them happy. He could see his three friends on the Malecon, framed agains the black massive walls of Intramuros, waving handkerchiefs. He waved back. His eyes became blurred, but pride kept back the tears. He was no longer a childhe was now a man. Before him lay Europe ....

CHAPTER IV HE Salvadora rose and fell gently with her bow pointed straight ahead toward the opening of the bay, leaving behind a fast thinning plume of black smoke. The vessel churned up a long line of foam at its stern. Jose seized paper and pencil and began skaching the city's skyline. Little by little the buildings grew smaller; their outlines fused together. The spires of the numerous churches pointed toward the sky, and far behind rose the mountains of NIarikina and Antipolo, their peaks merging with the white clouds above. A brilliant sun turned the landscape into white gold.

T

The gong for lunch was sounded. For the first time Jose was able to take a good look at his fellow passengers. There were thirty-seven passengers in all: thirteen men, ten women, fourteen children-also five servants. All were Spaniards except an Englishman who spoke Castilian with a decided accent, and Jose who was the only indio on board, although there were several Negroes and British East Indians destined for the Port Breton prison.

After lunch he explored the ship, which was about 200 feet long, and to his unaccustomed eyes, quite clean and attractive. The cabins were well taken care of by the steward.

Five lifeboats hung at the sides suspended by ropes from their davits. The vessel had a speed of seven or eight miles an hour, and the bow parted the smooth waters of the bay with almost no effort.

To the north, Mariveles mountain rose in majestic beauty, and Jose had to admit it rivaled his beloved :Mount Makiling in grandeur. To the southwest lay Corregidor, and farther, lower against the blue horizon, were the two islets of the Friar and the Nun. They passed the island of Mindoro by sunset.

The sun touched the rim of the sea, turning into molten gold 46

OUT OF MANILA BAY

47

the line between it and the ship. Great masses of clouds were tinted with carmine and seemed like the ceiling of an enchanted grotto. Shadows were rapidly settling down in the east. The ship glided along as if on an immense desert. Not a single flying fish broke the mirrored surface of the sea.

Rizal changed his clothes, from white cotton drill to a woolen suit which his sister Maria had made. He thought of the trip aboard a scow which he had made with his sisters a year ago on Laguna de Bay to Pakil. At that time he had admired the poetic scenery of his province, but now he could only remain speechless contemplating the immensity of the ocean.

A new moon, large and red, rose against the eastern sky.

A slight breeze made the paper on which he was writing tremble. He soon gave up writing by the light of a lantern suspended by a cord to the captain's deck, and leaned back on the deck chair. The sun was gold, and the moon silver, he mused, for they transformed whatever they touched into these two precious metals. At this minnte, in his home town, his family was perhaps looking at the same moon. Were his mother and sisters thinking about him as they watched the moon? If only, instead of looking at the moon, their glances could meet. .. He remembered a verse his mother had often recited: "Cuando en las ondas de los vastos mares "Corda a sepultar sus rayos bellos "EZ rubio ApoZo . .. " A woman sitting on a nearby chair was humming a lullaby to her little child. In a similar manner had his mother lulled him to sleep, so many years ago... The ship rose and fell

like a vast cradle . ..

He slumbered peacefully.

On the second day the vessel tossed fitfully as in a nightmare. All the passengers, men, women, and children, were seasick although they pretended otherwise.

THE GREAT l\1ALAYAN "I have something here," one would say, pointing to his stomach. "A certain heaviness, you understand, but I'm not seasick."

"No, caramba.''' another would reply. ''I'm not seasick, only I have a headache."

Jose spent the day sketching and sleeping. He did not conceal the fact that he was sick, and he ate scarcely anything.

He felt better the following day. The passengers were becoming accustomed to the rolling of the ship, and resumed a measure of social intercourse with the rest of those aboard.

After supper, the conversation turned to the Philippines.

As usual, the Spaniards found much fault with the administration, with the natives, and with the country in general. Jose did not say anything to their remarks, but he couldn't help thinking that all foreigners, friars as well as civilians, came to his country to get as much as they could. He realized bitterly that the origin of the great 'wrongs and enmities in his native land arose from the dispute of these human vultures over the same booty.

But there were four or five passengers, he was glad to find out, who avoided saying anything bad about the colony.

Among these men were Godinez, Medina, Buil, and Vicente Pardo. The last-named passenger was the alcalde of Barotac Viejo in Iloilo, and heatedly resented the attacks made by the others on the colony and its inhabitants.

The great majority of the Spanish colonials, with a few exceptions like Pardo, always spoke badly of their overseas possessIons. Rizal wondered how such men could have withstood staying in his country and suffering the martyrdom they had described. If what they.claimed were true, then gold was certainly the root of all evil, for these colonials returned to Spain with much money.

The women were more outspoken. In contrast to the dull prose of the men, the women fairly raved in their abuse of the Islands. If an outsider were to believe what they said,

SINGAPORE

49

Jose chuckled, Spain was a paradise where even the most stupid person was a genius in virtue, talent, and' sagacity compared with other races, and the Filipinos could not find in their country even a useful atom because it seemed God had lost His providential wisdom in making the Islands.

"I have been very frank," said Morlan, after the usual comments on the Islanders' morals. ''I'm not speaking about the indio's private morality-I'm talking in general terms."

"You're quite right," replied Pardo dryly, "during the three days we have been on this ship you have not spoken well of anybody."

Morlan felt insulted and replied hotly. The discussion would have ended in a fight, had not others intervened. For the remainder of the trip, Morlan and Pardo exhibited a marked coolness towards each other.

Three days lateI\ the Salvadora docked at Singapore.

Money changers, guides l coolies, and visitors swarmed on board.

Rizal changed fifteen pesos in gold for some silver pieces, then took a carriage for the Hotel de la Paz. Excerpts from a notebook of his travel: I am in my room (he wrote) which faces a patio adjoining the Europe Hotel. I hear English spoken everywhere. I will write down what I have seen since this afternoon.

Two huge stores of coal stand at the entrance to the dock; la:ter, well-built streets with vegetation on both sides; houses in the Chinese style; a multitude of East Indians with herculean frames, Chinese, now and then a European, and rarely a Chinese woman, Stores everywhere with placards in both Eng'lish and Chinese. Much bustling among the stronger sex. The coaches resemble 3/100 in form and are pulled by a single horse.

There are big and small horses. I have not yet seen beautiful houses like those in Manila. yVe passed by the Malabar, . Mussulman, and Chinese temples. We saw the police building and on our way back to the hotel I saw the Protestant temple built in Gothic style. Afterwards I got down at my hotel,

THE GREAT MALAYAN

50

and lhe driver asked a duro l for the trip. A Chinese accompanied me to my room upstairs. He had a gracious and honest face, something rare among the Chinese of my country.

An Englishman who knew some Spanish greeted me kindly.

He talked with me and argued with my cab driver whom I paid only half a duro. A swarm of East Indians plagued me, offering a million things to sell. I did not buy anything except a comb and a cane for two pesetas. I forgot to mention at our arrival numerous Malay children on dugouts who kept crying "rt La mer) a La mer)" for us to throw them money. It is surprising how dexterous and fast they are, swimming like fishes. For two cuartos2 they will jump into the sea to recover the coins.

I went down from my room and found the steward, a Lala-Ary3 in figure, who speaks Spanish, English, French, Malay, and German, and who explained to me many things. I went to the Protestant church and found a fountain of blessed water, a child carried by a lady, and various Englishmen. There must have been some IIl,inister inside. I also saw many women sitting.

I sat down and read the Bible. It was a good thing there were many punkahs which served as fans for all the faithful. There are no saints. I went out for a walk.

Nearly everybody rides in cabs except the poor Chinese and Indians. At the esplanade I saw many Britishers playing a ball game, also a magnificent carriage drawn by two beautiful horses, dark and large, with two English drivers, and within, the Majarajah of Jehore, a fat, resp~ctable-looking old man dressed partly in European clothes with a sort of apron.

I saw a Chinese woman with very small feet. But I have not seen a single Indian or Malay woman. I asked why and they told me these women stay in their houses. Tomorrow I shall visit the town. There are many cabs for hire. I am surprised to find the streets planted with trees and grass on both sides. The town is quite pretty.

On my return, I had to wait a long time for dinner. Dinner was announced after I had perused a German periodical I A silver coin worth one dollar or two pesos.

A copper coin.

3 Lala-Ary was a famous hotel keeper in Manila.

1 2

PREMONITION with beautiful drawings. There were many Britishers of both sexes at dinner, also two Siamese youngsters whom anybody would take for Filipinos any day.

The servants are all Chinese, aside from Goinda, an Indian with earrings, and Tonu from Lahay. There was neither order nor plan in serving the meaL Aside from the glass of water, they placed before each guest a cup for washing the fingers.

Two punkahs kept the diners cooL Here I tasted rice inferior to ours. The pineapple, though small, was sweet and tasted good.

The bananas were bad.

I forgot. A young blonde, English girl-I have seen nothing like her since I arrived. How sorry I am not to be able to speak Engli~h. I was reminded of Dora every time I saw her. It seemed to me that Dickens' conception of his little heroine must have resembled her very much.

2nd day in SingajJore (May IO) Wedn esday): I left the Philippines a week ago today, and I'm now in a foreign country.

I've had a sad and terrifying dream which had all the appearances of reality.

I dreamt that while I was in Singapore my brother died suddenly, news which I imparted to my aged mother who was traveling with me. His death was confirmed by Sor Catalina, and I had to return, leaving everything I had in this country.

Why did I dream thus? I am thinking of telegraphing my town; but I'm not superstitious-I left my brother sound and strong. It's true that once I had a dream which came to pass.

Before taking the examinations during my first year in medicine, I dreamt that they asked me certain questions. I paid no attention, but when the time came they asked me the same questions I had dreamt about. May God prevent this one from coming true!

Rizal spent a busy day going from one place to another.

The Portuguese church was closed, but the Chinese temple was open. The pillars were tall and painted a coffee color.

Idols were perched on three altars, and in the middle stood the statue of a genie blowing rocks at a dragon. Paintings, bas reliefs, and various pieces of sculpture filled the building.

In the patio stood a little stone tower which pleased him because of its artistic construction.

52

THE GREAT MALAYAN

He observed little water fountains on the streets and wished Manila authorities were as progressive as those of Singapore in this respect. He noted the market places were clean, unlike those in. lVlanila. He inspected the local palace of the Rajah of Siam, and in the afternoon visited ' the botanical garden. There he found a Malay to whom he tried to talk in Tagalog, but the Malay me.rely looked blank and shook his head. Jose came across another Malay for whose benefit he drew the picture of a cow, asking the 'way to the zoological garden, and received the reply, "tadar," which he could not understand. An Englishman, who was loitering nearby with a dog in leash, informed Rizal that there was none in Singapore.

After luncheon next day, Jose boarded the French liner Djemnah and was pleasantly surprised to find that Pardo, Buil, and Salazar, co-passengers aboard the Salvadora} were on the same vessel to l\1ar-seilles. Compared to the Salvadora} the Djemnah was luxury itself. The l\1essageries Maritime ship was twice as large, spotlessly clean, and the cabins were wellventilated. Each cabin had its own light, curtain, basin, mirror, rug, etc. The bathrooms were excellent, and the saloons large and airy. The service couldn't be improved, with stewards and cabin boys always alert and respectful. The ship's library seemed fairly well stocked.

As customary at the first meal of voyages, dinner that evening was impressive: pheasants with trufHes and raspberries.

Rizal sat beside a Dutchman who spoke various languages except Spanish, and was thus able to practice his rusty French learned at the Ateneo. There were numerous Dutch passengers on board, as well as Britishers, Spaniards, and Siamese.

The latter, he privately observed, were mischievous, with only ;) smattering of civilization.

The following morning he remained on deck reading a French translation of a novel by "Valter Scott. Dutch passengers played shuffle-board, while girls who were still youngsters ran after the wooden discs to hand them over to the

SINGAPORE TO NAPLES

53

players. To one accustomed to Spanish formality, this scene was simply marvelous-it showed a spirit, of respectful comradeship between Dutch parents and their children, and the absence of excessive modesty or false pride.

Every morning he found his shoes newly shined just outside the cabin door. The beds were extremely comfortable as the mattress was placed on top of spring slats. Cleanljne~s was evident everywhere in the care of the ship. Jose felt he was going to enjoy this trip immensely.

He had two dreams which filled him with unrest. On his third night out, he dreamt that a huge serpent nearly killed him; and again the next evening he dreamt that lack of funds forced him to return, although he was already half-way to Europe.

"What could these dreams foretell?" he asked himself repeatedly.

"Don't criticize me as cowardly or superstitious," he warned in his notebook, "because I'm only ~otting down what happened during my trip."

Punta de Gales, Colombo, Guardafui at the tip of Africa, Aden, Suez, Port Said, Naples. .. these ports of call followed in rapid succession as the days slipped away with unbelievable swiftness. The shyness of the first few days on a strange boat disappeared, and by the time they called at Colombo the passengers knew each other's names. Jose felt that his mess table was a miniature Babel: there was a German, an Englishman, and a Dutchman sitting with him in the dining room. The passengers liked this sole Filipino representative. He had rather prominent cheekbones, an assertive jaw, a dark olive complexion, brown eyes, black hair that curled at the edges and parted at the right side. Above all, he was quiet and modest. He was also fond of drawing pictures, and passengers felt complimented whenever they were chosen as the subject of one of his sketches.

Rizal was an untiring tourist, visiting markets, temples, gardens, and other points of interest. Like all tourists he matched wits with peddlers, guides, and vendors at each port,

54

THE GREAT MALAYAN

and though cheated several times he was not the worse for the experience. On touching African soil at Guardafui, he involuntarily shuddered at the thought of the rivers of blood shed by its inhabitants upon the arrival of the white man. To the young traveler, the name Africa was synonymous with horror and the shedding of human blood.

The heat appreciably increased as the Djemnah entered the Red Sea. In the evenings, to escape the heat, the passengers crowded on the decks. Somebody played on the piano and the younger passengers danced to its tinkling tunes on the upper deck. Jose rarely joined them. He was too conscious of his racial difference to mix with the young Dutch men and women aboard. If he gave them the impression of aloofness, it was because he was too shy to sparkle in a social gathering where foreigners were present. Instead, he would sit on a deck chair gazing at the waves or at the moon. He missed his relatives, his friends, and his country. Here everything was strange and new. In the solitude of the night, he'd watch the moon .in its tranquil passage through the heavens above and the reflection of molten silver it made on the lazy waves of the sea.

Jose felt a certain attraction for the moon; that heavenly body for him was the embodiment of love and produced in him a gentle undefined melancholy. On moonlit nights like these, in a spirit of self-abasement, he poured forth the feelings of his heart in these lines: "Oh, thou Creative Spirit, Being without a beginning who sees and holds in Thy powerful hands all things, I salute and bless Thee! There, on the other side of the sea, spread life and peace among my family, reserving for me all suffering." .

Once past Port Said, the weather turned cooler, much colder than he had ever experienced in the Islands even during early December or January mornings. In Naples, some of the passengers left. He had gotten to know most of them, especially the younger ones, and felt nearly as lonesome to see them go as when he had left Tio Antonio, Gella, and Evan-

MARSEILLES

55

gelista in Manila. Youth is friendship itself, he thought to himself, and whenever two young people meet a certain familiarity is formeq automatically. In two days he would lose Wilhelminie, Hermione Geretze, and Celiene Mulder, who were bound for either Hague or Brussels. They were returning to their homes, to their families, while he was merely starting on his travels, a vagabond at the mercy of fortune.

Much too old for his years, he knew that friendships made during voyages were inevitably destined for shipwreck on reaching land. No, he was not made to be a traveler. He 'was too sentimental, his heart was too tender.

The vessel reached the port of Marseilles on the evening of June 12th, but passengers were not allowed to leave until next morning. Rizal put on a new frock coat, fixed his hat at an adventurous angle, and buttoned his gloves. As he said good-bye to all his friends, he felt depressed for a moment.

Then he stepped down the gangplank on French soil. The customs officers were very courteous and, after the brief formality of examining his baggage, passed him on.

The streets of probably the oldest maritime city in the world were just beginning to show signs of activity. He took a cab for the Hotel Noailles, where he planned to stay, passing through the Avenue of the Republic, the famous Cannebiere, past the Bourse and the Hotel de Louvre. After inspecting his room on the second floor, he went out for a haircut. He roamed around, noticing the huge houses and public buildings, columns adorned with female figures, and the many newspaper and flower vendors at the street corners. He began to feel lonely.

Perhaps some of the Djemnah passengers were in the same hotel. So he went back and met Celiene 1\1 ulder coming down the stairs. She spoke only Dutch, which he didn't understand, but that didn't matter. She was a familiar face, and he felt a twinge around his heart when she had to leave. Hm"lever, her two friends, Lientje and 1\1ientje, turned up and the three managed to carryon a conversation. The sisters were twelve

THE GREAT MALAYAN and nine years old, respectively, and though originally from Holland -preferred to live in Batavia, where they had been born.

"I also love my country," jose told them, "and no matter how beautiful Europe is 1 want to return to the Philippines."

Would any of the Spanish girls in the Islands have treated him with the same cordiality and friendship? He snorted in derision.

Feeling that he had detained them too long, he said goodbye and went down. When he looked back Lientje was standing at the head of the stairs waving her hand. He did not really want to leave them. After reading periodicals in the lobby for a time, he became restless. He climbed to the third floor but did not find them. To explain his presence he asked a hotel attendant if Spanish travelers were staying there. The servant replied in the affirmative and from the description given, jose guessed the couple were Senor Salazar and his wife.

The Salazars greeted him cordially. They were likewise glad to see a familiar face. It turned out that Pardo and Buil also were stopping in a near-by hotel, and together the friends rambled around the city. They visited the local museum. It was the first time Jose had been in one and he would have gladly stayed there the whole day. There had been no museums in the cities en route, and in Naples the ship had docked for only two hours. After passing through the first room, his friends excused themselves saying they were tired; however, jose remained to examine each showcase minutely.

Before going to sleep that evening, his thoughts turned to self-analysis. Every time he was alone since leaving the ship, he meditated, he invariably felt homesick. This was natural. He had been raised in the midst of a large family, had gone to school with many friends, and consequently missed their presence. Now, he was alone in a magnificent hotel. His room was so quiet it increased his loneliness. A profound melancholy gripped him. He felt so sad he wanted to cry.

HOMESICKNESS

57

At last he fell asleep, dreaming of the happy day when he would return to the bosom of his family and his friends.

The next two days were spent in sightseeing and shopping. On the eve of his departure for Barcelona, Jose checked up on his financial status. He was troubled by what he found.

Despite his economy and his refraining from buying many tempting things during the voyage, he had spent too much.

Of the seventy-six duros he had when he left Manila, with passage all paid, only twenty-eight or twenty-nine pesos remained. It was a good thing he was leaving the hotel tomorrow: its rates were beyond his slender means. He fervently hoped that some money would reach him soon after getting to Barcelona, otherwise-.

A first-class railroad ticket to Barcelona cost twelve pesos, further decreasing his fast-disappearing funds. Perhaps h~ should go second-class, he debated with himself, but both Pardo and Buil were traveling first-class and an obstinate pride forced him to keep up appearances. Anyway, their presence would dull the edge of his homesickness.

CHAPTER V ARCELONA, pride of Catalonia and second largest city of Spain, proved disappointing to the newly arrived Filipino student. This was the first time he had ridden on an express train, and he marveled at the great speed with which it flashed across the French countryside, through Narbornne, Perpignan, Cerbere, and across the frontier into the little sea town of Port Bou, where passengers had to change trains. The Spanish carabineer who acted as customs inspector searched the bags of the travelers with unnecessary rudeness. The train which was to take them to Barcelona was smaller but better looking, and the first-class compartments were covered with red tapestry. A boy wearing a mixture of French and Spanish clothes told curious passengers that they had just crossed the border.

Jose did not feel altogether happy upon touching Spanish soil. He could not help noticing that he was on Spanish territory: the atmosphere, the landscape and even the treatment they had received from the rude carabineer proclaimed the fact.

B

The train chugged and smoked its way through the Pyrenees, passing numerous tunnels and s"Yaying around dangerous curves. The morning of June 16th found Rizal immersed in melancholic reflections. His two companions were asleep with their heads reclining on the plush cushions of the compartment. Jose thought of past incidents and of the future.

Here he was, a nobody, on the, first part of a great journey.

What would he become and what would be his future? The money Paciano had given him was almost gone. He knew he would find friends, but could not help feeling timid at finding himself in a strange country. He looked outside. He caught fleeting glimpses of vineyards, olive groves, pine trees, dusty roads, and sometimes in the distance, the ruins of an abanrloned 58

BARCELONA

59

castle; also hovels and small towns composed of a few grey houses. Once in a while he would see a peasant--Otherwise, the countryside seemed deserted. The pine and chestnut trees stood green against the morning sunlight, but he recalled with pride that they did not seem so green as those in his native country.

The train paused at the towns of Figueras and Gerona.

At times, when the train's course paralleled the 路sea coast, Jose could see the blue Mediterranean and felt comforted, for the sea was an old friend. By ten thirty he saw straight ahead the vast expanse of a city, with the small ridge of Montjuich behind it and the sea to his left. A few minutes later he was in Barcelona.

Pardo left them at the Estacion de Francia, the railroad terminus. Buil and Rizal, who had decided to room together, took a coach for the Fonda de Espafia, an inn on Calle de San Pablo, in the heart of the old city. The cab passed through the narrow streets of the old quarter and stopped before the dingy portals of the fonda which seemed to be indifferent to the comforts of its residents.

Rizal found Barcelona extremely disagreeable. He had been accustomed to the magnificent buildings of the cities en route, to the courtesy of their inhabitants, and had lived in a luxurious hotel where the word ((gar~on" meant instant service. The contrast was too sharp.

"I do not know if the state I was in then gave to things this aspect of nostalgia," he wrote in his diary a year later.

He had his first acute attack of homesickness while in Barcelona. Letters from his brother, relatives, and friends back in the Islands comforted him for a time but later served to intensify his malady.

Manong Paciano kept him informed on family matters, and wrote that their father had felt his departure profoundly.

Paciano could hear his father cry late at night, when everybody

60

THE GREAT "M ALAYAN

had retired: he could not bear it and finally confessed to the old man what had really happened. Not until then did the elder Rizal regain his previous good humor.

The Kalamba town fiesta was held with the usual gaiety that June, although there were not as many visitors as in past years. A cholera epidemic broke out in August. Manila was thrown into a panic as hundreds died daily. A person would get sick in the morning and die by nightfall. Students were told to return to their homes. Provincial communications were cut off. Church bells were rung, masses offered, and candles lighted as a last recourse, the devout expecting divine intervention to ward off the plague. But cholera continuec to take many lives. :M embers of Rizal's imruediate family escaped the plague, but his aya died of it. People drank nothing but hot tea or manzanilla mixed with brandy until the disease had run its course. "Cholera inspires such a fear that justice, the gttarcl,ia civil and the telegraph system, sweat," was Paciano's comment.

Jose worried about Leonor until her letters came, relieving him of the fear that she might have succumbed to the epidemic. Alas, her only affliction was his departure! "Poor girl," reported Chengoy, "the" tears she shed in the first days after her arrival from the province when she found the house without you-and you 5,000 leagues from Manila! Your sister Maria can tell you about it, for Leonor cried in her presence."

Leonor was listless, without a desire to do anything. She even wanted to dye her dresses black in mourning for his absence.

Jose would never have left Manila, she confided in Chengoy, if she had not been away at the time. "That she loves you there can be no doubt," asserted Chengoy.

Jose's sojourn abroad intensified his feeling of nationalism, and his first article from Spain to a Manila periodical was a 'fervent exposition on patriotism, ((El Amor Patrio." "Love for country can never be erased once it has entered the heart, ... because it carries with it a divine stamp which makes it eternal

MADRID and imperishable," he wrote. Filipinos in Manila became aware of this vigorous young apostle of nationalism, while Spaniards looked on him with ill-concealed hatred. He wrote glowing letters to his friends, to Antonio Luna, younger brother of Juan, the painter, and to members of the Compaiierismo at Tio Antonio's house, describing the freedom of speech, press, and worship even in a country as backward as Spain. Why, in Barcelona an orator could mount a soapbox on the Plaza Cataluiia, the hub of the city, and loudly advocate the separation of Catalonia province from the rest of Spain; and if he didn't create a row amqng his listeners, the guardia civiles would not even tak,e the trouble to listen to what he was saying. Imagine such a thing in the Philippines!

The summer passed quickly. He met a dozen countrymen, mostly students, who took him around to explore the city's main points 0 interest. He 路 decided to study in Madrid and when the day of his departure came in September, the Filipino colony honored him with a dinner in which the main dish was pansit cooked by T'omas Cabafigis. As with 'all travelers in a foreign land, nothing is so pleasing or so satisfying as food prepared as it was at home.

Madrid proved more attractive to the Kalamba student.

In the fall it was a gay city, rivaling Paris and even Vienna.

Located at the very center of the Iberian peninsula, Madrid possessed simultaneously the spirit of Europe and of the Orient. It accepted the orderliness and conveniences of a civilized Europe without losing its love for the brilliant colors and the primitive habits of the African tribes across Gibraltar or the chivalry of the Moors who once reigned in Granada.

To the northwest lay the Guadarrama mountains, which influenced the climate of the city for the worse: one could never tell in the mornings whether it would be hot or cold by noon. The winds which swept down from the Sierras caused numerous pneumonia cases among Madrid residents.

The houses were badly constructed and the lack of chimneys

THE GREAT MALAYAN or fireplaces increased the sufferings of those afflicted with rheumatism. Rizal, however, was fascinated by the continuous movement he found on the streets: peasants from the country driving burros laden with farm merchandise; factory workers on the way to their jobs; students, urchins, clothes peddlers.

"You will see linen hung from the balconies like the flags of families," he wrote from Germany four years later.

"These are the laundrywomen who present to the public the secrets of the toilette and the clothes of their masters. But do not walk with head up, watching the balconies to admire the young girls framed by the masses of flowers and potted plants, because you will run the danger of stepping on something which will oblige you to change your shoes. And beware! If somebody approaches you to ask for directions, don't say you are a stranger... N ever address a policeman to find some place. It is a useless task-your words will be lost. He will 'calmly reply that he aoes not know, that he just joined the service the day before. But if you press him, he will give explanations and directions which will lead you into a laby. rinth that he himself would not be able to follow.

"The most beautiful thing about Madrid is its bourgeoisie1 ; it is amiable, distinguished, educated, frank, dignified, hospitable and chivalrous. It is also a bit aristocratic in its tastes: it loves kings, titles, and pomp-at the same time it remains republican; it mocks curates and priests; it does not often practice religion but it is always Catholic and has a horror of Protestants, Jews, and Freethinkers. It is always proud of the history of its country, which it believes to be the best in the world. But if you were to talk about some crime committed by a countryman, the bourgeoisie would start crying, 'There you are; we are still savages; we are vandals; we still have African blood!' The true Madrilefio is disappearing from day to day: 1

The middle class.

WOMEN OF SPAIN there is nothing' left but the common people, the canaille 2 to be found in the mud and hovels of Madrid. Every time I think of this society, I imagine the common people as a dung heap and the bourgeoisie a flower that grows on perfumed gTound. The aristocrats are divided into two classes: the old and the new. The old still have a little pride, but it is more like foam-it disperses at a touch. The new is the bridge between the bourgeoisie and the old aristocracy. It is hard to define the limits. The new aristocracy is amiable, though somewhat ridiculous because it puts on appearances which it does not justify, and tries to hige the newness of its escutcheons wh~ch were forged the day before yesterday."

And the Spanish women? Always susceptible to feminine charm, Rizal's poetic heart bubbled over with admiration as he wrote: "The women (of Spain) are beautiful, passionate, with a naive spirit, natural and piquant in their manners, living for love and dying to be loved." He was attracted by "the beautiful women with black eyes, deep and ardent, with their mantilla and fan, always gracious, always full of fire, love, jealousy, and sometimes vengeance." His eyes would follow, whenever he carne across that rarest of beauties, the Spanish blonde, tall, stately, and full-bosomed, with dark-blue eyes against a tawny golden skin, a throwback to the Visigothic blood which once predominated in Spain.

The edge of Jose's homesickness was dulled by throwing himself into his studies. He enrolled at the U niversidad Central, taking courses in medicine as well as philosophy and letters.

He had met several paisanos shortly after his arrival, and roomed in one of the four or five boarding houses patronized by the twenty odd Filipino students in the colony. By the time he studied in Madrid, Rizal was accustomed to dingy rooms and cramped quarters.

The aversion he felt for Barcelona was not repeated in the case of Madrid. He became accustomed to being poor.

2

The common people.

THE GREAT MALAYAN Remittances from the Philippines came irregularly; ordinary mail took at least forty-five days by way of the Suez Canal and sometimes failed to reach its destination. The meager pension of fifty pesos a month was diminished to thirty-five because of hard times in the Islands. Paciano sarcastically related how the few hands left to reap the harvest of rice remained at home praying to the Almighty to be spared from the cholera plague while the grain went to rot. A cabled appeal for PIOO sent

by Jose at the time he transferred to Madrid went unheeded.

Then a typhoon lashed the archipelago in October, inundating the fields around Laguna and further increasing the miserable plight of the farmers. Paciano scrimped to send funds, but at' intervals Jose either pawned the few jewels he carried or simply went hungry.

On Calle Salud, some three hundred meters north of La Puerta del Sol, Madrid's center of activity, was located the headquarters of the Filipinos in Madrid-the Circulo Hispano Filipino. Besides the students, there were eight or nine elderly paisanos~ merchants, landowners, and former army men in the group. Rizal was duly invited to become a member of the society. He attended the first meeting feeling very much. like a beginner called upon by his masters to perform a great and delicate task. At last he felt that his nationalistic inspirations were to be endorsed by an association of fellow patriots!

His surprise matched his disgust when he learned the true nature of the group. The Circulo was managed without any definite aim and the expenses were excessive. Members who could easily afford to support it rarely paid their dues. Led

by Don Juan Atayde, a retired army officer who had seen years of service in the Islands and had the best interests of the colony at heart, the group of elder members took the initiative in all club matters. Although in the minority, they influenced the rest of the members to take a cautious attitude in political affairs. As for the younger members-they simply didn't care.

Did the youngsters lack patriotism or brains? Certainly not!

FILIPINOS IN MADRIl) Gregorio Sancianco, a brilliant young lawyer, had just published a penetrating analysis of economic, administrative, and political progress in the Islands under the title of El Progreso de Filipinas. Graciano Lopez Jaena, who had just come from Valencia, was gaining renown as a forceful orator and author on political and administrative topics. Tomas del Rosario was also known as a writer and a speaker. Julio Llorente, spurred by a Roman exaltation for all that was great and noble, gave brilliant promise of glorious days for his country'- Javier Gomez de la Serna, who had gone ' to school with Rizal at the Ateneo Municipal, although a Spaniard by birth and blood, showed liberal tendencies. With the exception of Eduardo de Lete, a Spanish mestizo from the llocos provinces, he was the only one who dedicated his time to poetry. "So many brilliant intellects were lost in themselves for lack of union and because of excessive individualism," commented Rizal. "Each one went his own way, paying no attention to diversions or strikes-there were no two beings alike. In the midst of the bustle of the big city, and in view of the gradually decaying state of the fatherland, we were like gTains of sand in the whirlwind following a cab."

How did the young men pass their time? Certainly not like Rizal. Except for two or three who went to classes, they slept until noon; the afternoons were spent in idleness, gossiping with one another; the evenings, after the sidewalk cafes were closed, were spent in visiting families, specially those who had no men among their members. "The cult of the god ' of Chance had no fixed temple as in the days of the ancient Christians," Jose r~lates. "Wherever two met, the divinity emerged, and one could then see on the altars of rough pine or card tables all kinds of offerings, from the smallest copper coins to banknotes and gold pieces. Love took little of our time. Of the twenty of us, hardly three or four had affairs more or less false and detachable; yet we were young and within our hearts throbbed the most ardent emotions, only they

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

were drowned underneath a heavy coat of light heartedness and dejection. Imagine: at this time it was considered bad taste and somewhat ridiculous to go to classes. It was considered quixotic to show patriotic sentiment. They assured the studious that it was impossible to pass the course, and told the patriot that it was futile to try anything. They discussed the number of buttons on a coat, but nothing about the rights of Filipinos. About a representative in the Cortes, not a' single word was said. Perhaps they tried to avoid mentioning these problems so as not to touch painful wounds-all bled within and because they despaired of a remedy preferred to wait for death, laughing and playing."

Undaunted by what he saw, and full of the enthusiasm and the faith of youth in the destiny of his country, Rizal proposed to members of the Circulo that help be asked from the Islands. Expenses could be reduced, he pointed out, and the life of the association extended for another three months.

His motion was carried. Late that year the Circulo published two is~ues of a Revista. The articles were conspicuous by their timidity and prudence. Atayde's article gave a monarchical twist to the publication, against regulations, and at the next meeting the student from Kalamba vigorously protested against the policy of the periodical. As a result he was elected a member of the board of directors. Meanwhile, months passed. The expected help from Manila failed to materialize. Ramirez de Arellano, selected as correspondent of the Circulo in l\tlanila, promptly asked for his salary, postage, and other expenses. Nevertheless, somebody from the Islands did send two pesos and a half to become a member, but he asked aid in settling a case pending before the colonial ministry.

As the year drew to a close, the weather became colder and colder. Jose bought thick woolen clothes, heavy underwear and an overcoat that reached to just above his knees, the fashionable length at that time. He was very careful of his personal appearance. Though he had only a few suits, because

PROPHETIC DREAM he lacked money to buy more, he was always neatly dressed.

Clothes do not make a gentleman, but, he reasoned out, a pleasing exterior greatly helps in making a favorable first impression. And being a Malay, who would be noticeable in any European crowd because of his color, the matter of appearances became an imperative necessity. He had his picture taken looking very elegant in a black coat, gloves, and a silk hat. Accustomed as he was to the warm weather of the tropics, his first winter in the temperate zone proved disagreeable.

Afterwards, however, he welcomed the invigorating and exhilarating change that it brought with the tingling sensation of snow and ice. Years later he pined for it when exiled on a tropic island just north of the equator.

On December 30 of that year, a prophetic day, he experienced a terrible nightmare. He was roaming with the Paterno brothers, who rented the entire first floor of a house on Calle Sauco. He dreamt he as an actor who dies in a scene. He could feel vividly the loss of breath. His energy disappeared-his eyesight darkened-blackness engulfed him.

He was in agony as death clutched at him. He wanted to cry for help from Antonio Paterno, who was sleeping in the same room. Suddenly he woke up, weak and breathless. He was bathed in a cold sweat. He shivered. He was not superstitious, he scoffed at dreams, but he was after all a Malay whose belief in dreams was rooted in antiquity. Sigmund Freud was then a student of physiology in Vienna and had not gone into psychoanalysis, much less explained dreams on the theory of the subconscious. Call it a remarkable coincidence, yet fourteen years later to the day the dream came true-Rizal met a hero's death on the field of Bagumbayan!

Back in Kalamba, pen in hand, Paciano was writing these ominous words: "Do you remember what you once told me, shortly after hearing midnight Mass, that you dreamt of a great event that would befall our family, only you couldn't tell whether we would become rich or poor, because it was only

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

a dream? I still remember this and it has been brought back because of a new dream I had, not once but twice, similar to yours. The only difference was this: mine were somewhat clearer in that our family suffered hardship. But I am not accustomed-to believing in things such as dreams which occur in the darkness of sleep. Perhaps all these things are far from fulfillment-may God take care of us all."

New Year's Eve was a gay one for the Filipino colo~y in Madrid. The Circulo held a dance, and all the members were present with their guests. lYluch wine was drunk, couples danced merrily, conversation flowed, and the party did not break up until the early hours of the morning. Rizal was asked to recite a poem, and he declaimed Me Piden Versos, which breathed of profound longing for '\his native country.

La Serna read an ode to the stars. The affair was a decided success, but to Rizal it was more like "the swan song, the last flare-Oil was lacking and the light was dying." Meetings followed in which violent discussions arose. Elder members, like rats aboard a sinking ship, started deserting their posts; in one of the meetings, three presidents were elected in swift succession. Younger members blamed Atayde. At last they voted to end the Circulo. "The Circulo Hispano-Filipino lived like Diogenes looking for a man to direct it, and died like Alexander with discord attending its funeral," observed Rizal.

The end of the Circulo did not terminate the social life of the colony. However, the gap between the elder and younger members widened and gradually the former ceased to interest themselves in the activities of the group. The meeting place of the students was in the ' house of the Paternos, or on Calle Barquillo in the house of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a former counselor of the liberal Governor La Torre in Manila.

Jose delighted in the company of Don Pablo, who was the quintessence of the Castilian bourgeoisie which Jose admired so much. ' The old man was a stout defender of the friars. The

POLITICAL DISCUSSION

69

students classed him as a reactionary, and, though he argued with Rizal on many topics, they remained good friends to the last. Their bourgeois souls instinctively recognized an affinity that race, religion, or politics could not tear apart.

"Spain should form an alliance with another nation," said Rizal to Don Pablo in one of their many political discussions.

"No, sir," Don Pablo quickly replied, "Spain is all right as she is."

"It's time sht:: stopped being a second-class nation."

"But you know the history of Spain-you haven't forgotten that whenever Spain secured an alliance she has lost more than she has gained."

"Nevertheless, I believe an alliance with a younger nation, rich and strong, would prove beneficial under the present circumstances, even though it may not be the kind of help needed by the monarchy which is somewhat weak because-".

"-Weak?" interrupted Don Pablo with some heat.

"How? Never has it reposed on more solid ground, never has it been more loved by the people who see in it the symbol of regeneration, of peace, and of a new era."

"Exactly, Don Pablo, but only in form. At the bottom it does not represent that symbol. The people, part of it, love the monarchy per accidens,l because it represents peace in Spain which they love per se/ because they still believe in that much sought-for rebirth of their past grandeur; only the ' leaders of the people adore the monarchy, especially those who prepare the steps in order to become the masters once they own it."

"No, amigo Rizal. Spain, because of existing conditions, because of her past sad experiences, can very well continue as she is, removed from all sorts of motives of disturbances and dismemberment.' , Rizal, however, was the kind of a person who did not give 1 By 2

accident.

Because of itself.

THE GREAT MALAYAN up an argument so easily. He sincerely believed Spain would gain much by forming an alliance with Germany, which was then fast becoming a world power under the leadership of Bismarck.

"But the time for talking has passed," insisted Rizal.

"Something must be done- it's impossible for Spain to remain the same as ever."

"Spain will not do anything, and her greatest statesmen are of the same opinion."

"And if the people want it?"

"They won't-that can't happen here," said Don Pablo with a great deal of assurance and finality.

Recurring attacks of homesickness seized Jose, but they came less frequently as the months passed. On the evening following the New Year's Eve dance given by the Circulo, he noted in his diary: "I am very sad. I do not know what vague ruelancholy or undefined loneliness has crushed my soul. This is similar to the profound sadness of cities after a tumultous celebration or of a widow being pensioned after a blissful . " marnage.

From Chengoy he learned Leonor had fallen ill; a recurrent fever had left her thin and pale. A pang of jealousy tormented Rizal when he read that a Spanish corporal wanted to court her, though Tia Betang had promptly ended the soldier's hopes by broadcasting around that her daughter was far too young to think of love or marriage.

That February Jose received a new photograph of Leonor.

She had written simply on the back: "To Jose from his faithful cousin." But in the code shared between them, her love flared with these words: "To my unforgettable and beloved lover, this picture is dedicated by his devoted Leonor." She looked thin and frail, and her eyes reflected the suffering she had gone through.

In exchange, Rizal mailed her his latest photograph. He wanted to send her a bust size oil portrait of himself painted

MEDICINE OR LAW

by Hidalgo, but, knowing she would not be able to hide it, addressed the painting to her parents instead. She could now gaze on his likeness just as well.

A year after he left Kalamba for the trip to Europe, Rizal spent the day thinking about what had happened during that year. He was given to thinking about himself. He spent the first two days of May recalling the past. He seized his diary and forced himself to read it~ then grabbed a pair of scissors and cut out a score of pages. "They woke within me forgotten impressions," he reminisced, "and though sick I shall continue writing them because they are of great use and because they console the soul when there's nothing left of the treasured past." On May 2 he watched the fiesta of the Dos de Mayor a national event celebrating the first attempt to liberate Spain from the Napoleonic yoke. A letter he received that day from Leonor cheered him up considerably.

The following day, a year after he embarked aboard the Salvadora for Singapore, he wrote: "It's exactly a year since I left my country I Should I curse or bless that day?"

The second semester came to an end that June. Rizal was troubled as to what career to pursue. He wanted to take up law instead of medicine. The feeling that he would dedicate his life to his country was hardening into a conviction, and he .wanted to study law because it would come in more handy in such a struggle. He also wanted to continue his studies in Paris, where Paciano had originally urged him to go. He received a letter giving him free choice of cities in which to study but with this pertinent advice: "I don't think it's convenient for you to study law; fine arts would be preferable. Our parish priest is of the same opinion. A lawyer here exercises the profession of a householder, a teacher, an agriculturist, and a contractor; that is, all the professions except that of an attorney. On the one hand, lawyers collect their fees when defending cases regardless of ethics, something your conscience will never permit; on the other, there are few

THE GREAT MALAYAN persons practising medicine or the fine arts. Here they show progress and live quietly, our only aspiration in this world.

This is mere advice and I would not like to put any pressure on you, but I would feel badly if you were not of the same opinion. The happiness of our parents will probably depend on your decision."

He made a flying trip to Paris that summer of 1883, and when fall came returned to resume his medical studies in the U niversidad Central of Madrid. He had picked up Italian in two months and mastered French in a short time. He wrote assiduously, in the latter language, fables and essays, to acquire greater idiomatic ease. From one of the paisanos who had been to London, Rizal obtained a working knowledge of English. He enrolled in the Greek, Arab, and Hebrew language ,' courses, and his professors marveled at the facility with which 'this student from the Far East acquired new tongues. His acquisitive mind, forever grasping at knowledge that would be of later value to him in his nationalistic campaign, even delved into the essentials of ,military fortifications and the tactics of strategy. He read a great number of books, and with his meager savings bought volumes , on history, grammar, novels in abundance, a descriptive travel book on the United States, and a book containing the lives of ' the American presidents. He diligently attended his clinical and surgical classes, noting down the symptoms and treatment of each patient, but his heart was not in it and although he graduated June 2 1, 1 884, he failed to win honors. The following year, however, he graduated in philosophy and letters with the rating of excellent in all his subjects.

During his second year in Madrid, Rizal talked continually to the younger paisanos about the great things they could do for their country if they were only properly organized. Quietly setting an example, he subtly appealed to their patriotic sentiments and persuaded them to resume their interrupted studies.

Several newcomers arrived: Evaristo Aguirre, a creole born in

STRIVING FOR IDEALS

73

Cavite, Francisco Esquivel, Rafael del Pan, Dr. Felipe Zamora, Enrique Rogers, and others. Valentin Ventura, La Serna, Llorente, Juan Tuazon, del Pan, and Aguirre attended the university regularly, while Lete, the Paterno brothers, and Rizal took courses in fine arts at the College of San Carlos. Jose hag not lost his appreciation of painting. He roamed many times through the vast halls of the ~I useo del Prado admiring the canvases of the great masters: Titian, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Murillo, Van Dyck, and Goya. But how could a painter ever achieve the nationalistic objective he had in mind?

Decidedly, the pen was far mightier than the brush.

With a great deal of tact and perseverance, Rizal led his fellow countrymen into the path he had indicated. They stopped gambling and wasting their time; instead they met in cafes to discuss the latest news from Manila. Sidewalk cafes were all" importation from Pari路s, but they formed an integral part of the Madrid s cial pattern. Madrilefios were fond of passing their leisure time in cafes or restaurants, talking and gesticulating, sometimes shouting or laughing, without being sure of the motive for their differences of opinion. The paisanos acquired the pleasant habit of frequenting certain cafes, one being on the bank of the Manzanares river with the name of "Merendero Felipino" in misspelkd letters two feet high.

It tickled their sense .of humor to patronize the place.

The Filipinos, however, had been infected with the Castilian virus of individualism and failed to unite into a single unit. Rizal proposed the idea of holding a banquet at the end of the year. A friend in Barcelona had suggested that to him a year before, but he was too shy to propose it earlier.

The Paternos got behind the plan, and the banquet was held at the Cafe de Madrid on New Year's Eve, 1883. The gathering lasted until three o'clock in the morning. At the stroke of twelve, the sixteen students took their places around the table. Someone outside knocked, announced that he was the New Year, entered and pronounced judgment on those present

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

for the year just gone. The future was also predicted. Then each guest talked for a short while, and upon Rizal fell the duty of delivering the concluding remarks.

"If until recently the memory of our country was for us a remorse, a recrimination," he told them, "henceforth we shall raise our heads at the sound of her name because we are now worthy of being called her sons. If, when I return to my home, my country which they call savage, my country wherein hospitality is neither sold nor bought but is offered and fulfilled like a duty, if this country which, in the midst of poverty, succors her children in faraway lands-ehildren to whom a civilized government denies the paltry small return due for their labors; if this country, I repeat, rough and uncouth, because it has less criminals and less disturbances, because over there brothers are respected, mothers do not sell their children, children kiss daily the hands of their parents, and foreigners and invalids are respected, if this country, if the Philippines, were to ask me what I have accomplished during my pilgrimage here; I would answer that which is now hidden in your innermost thoughts-a situation I deplore-and I would say: in niy heart I have suppressed all love except that for my country; in my mind I have erased all ideas which do not mean its progress; and on my lips I have forgotten the names of all races in order to say only the word Filipino! I decline to off~r a toast, because our life is an eternal toast, an eternal aspiration, an insatiable desire. Only instead of verses, shouts or curses are perhaps uttered; and instead of wine, tears or blood fill the cup. In the banquet of Liberty, the courses are served by Strife and Death. Those present thrive on sacrifices. Posterity, judging our efforts, will call us either villains or gods."

Spurred by Rizal's impassioned speech, they met again the following day in the house of the Paternos in an effort to resuscitate the Circulo Hispano-Filipino .â&#x20AC;˘ Pedro Paterno was in Madrid on his second visit, and aspired to become the leader

I

NOLI ME TANGERE CONCEIVED

75

'o f the colony, but he was too vain and pompous to suit his poorer fellow students, who resented the way he displayed his wealth. Rizal's suggestion regarding the publication of a book presenting the political and social aspects of the Philippines, with each member writing an article, met with instantaneous approval. Yet, when a discussion followed, all sorts of difficulties and obstacles were presented. Some members left the meeting in disgust. Rizal realized he could not expect cooperation from the majority.

He interested a few of the less selfish members, but their enthusiasm lagged with the passage of time. The idea of writing a novel, after the manner of Perez Galdos' Dona Perfecta) germinated within him. He read Eugene Sue's The Wandering Jew but found that, although well wri~ten and conceived, it failed to move him deeply. "Perhaps it's because I'm getting more hardened," he said to himself. He attempted to write a novel, but stopped after several pages. Finally he hit upon an ironic style that suited his purpose of revealing the ignorance, cruelty, and greed of the Spaniards in the Philippines. This book was the Noli Me Tangere.

Regularly every Saturday evening, several of the students met in the house of Don Pablo for a chat. Sometimes they played parlor games with his two charming daughters, Pilar and Consuelo, who were not the least of the attractions in that home. Among the girls' admirers were the Paterno brothers and Lete and Rizal. The latter, however, checked himself in time. There was Leonor, his studies, and above all his patriotic mission, which as yet was far from ful~illment. I twas true he was fond of Consuelo; she was such good company, and showed distinctly that she preferred him to any of the other boys.

Excerpts from her diary fully prove that she cared for him: January 18, 1883: Rizal talked a great deal with me, almost the entire evening. 路 He said I had much talent, that I was very diplomatic and that he was going to try and get some truth

THE GREAT MALAYAN from me in two weeks, that I was mysterious and had a veil in front of my thoughts. He asked me who was my favorite author-I don't remember what I answered because I was already not feeling well... Rizal said he detested amiable women because their smiles are deceptive. He had said the night before that I was very amiable, so I understood what he had meant, and answered him: "In order not to make a mistake, a man should first study the situation and if he finds hlmself with others, he should not pay attention to smiles which lose their value because they are distributed."

February 20: Rizal is also in love-he hasn't said so, but pretty nearly. He told me last night he had an illness which could be cured only by travel-perhaps... He said he had an eye on somebody who was much too high for him, and, despite trying to win her as a pastime, had failed. I listen to him with pleasure for he talks well and because of that I fear I'm encouraging him, which is true; but because I like to talk to him, I forget myself, although I'm sorry afterwards.

Then he returns and the same thing happens again . .. I don't know whom to favor: Lete, Rizal, or the two brothers (Antonio and Maximino Paterno). All of them attack me with questions and I have nothing to defend myself except for my head. I have not seen my former suitors because I rarely go out, but even if I saw them it would be the same.

May 7: Rizal brought me a flower, the first from his plant. ...

May I4: ... I opened my handbag and saw the flower that Rizal had given me a week ago and without much thought allowed it to be seen. Everybody saw it and Rizal tried to hide his feelings by putting on a smiling face. I felt sorry . for what I had done, but it was too late.

"You have kept the flower," said Lete.

"Yes, I was taking out my things, my bag was open, and I threw the flower inside in the same way that I would have thrown in any other thing."

"You're a terrible woman!" burst out Rizal. "It seems incredible! It's cruel! With a face as sweet as that you take pleasure in humiliating people. After an evening in which you made me suffer, you do nothing except to laugh."

LOYALTY IN LOVE

77

"I want to laugh now in case I have to cry soon."

"I would be glad."

"Thanks," I said to Rizal, dryly. He did not know how near I was to tears ....

Rizal must have realized how dangerously close he was to losing his heart to Consuelo. The trip to Paris that summer was a welcome change-it helped him to regain his perspective on the entire matter. To push Consuelo away as much as possible from his thoughts, he decided on a bold move.

"Look here," he told Lete one day, after he had made plans to leave for Paris. "I have noticed you like Consuelo, and because we are good friends I would not like to offenc1 you; neither would I like you to hurt me. Above everything else, we should try to maintain our comradeship, remaining loyal to each other. Here is my proposition: you be the first to try and win her affections, and since she has told you that she will give you a definite answer by October, I shall remain in the background until then. I shall refrain from doing anything which might harm your chances. But when that day comes, I want you to tell me the results of our agreement.

Does this suit you?'"

"Perfectly," replied Lete, "and I'm grateful for your loyalty."

That autumn, while Lete was riding on the platform of a street-car in front of the Banco de Espana, near the building . where he taught fencing with Jnan Luna, he saw Rizal walking on the street. Lete jumped out and hailed him.

"Chico) you have the look of a happy man," remarked Rizal, guessing immediately what had happened. In fact, not long before Consuelo had accepted Lete as her fiance. The two friends went to Lete's house, where Rizal read the correspondence between the lovers. He made courteous comments, smiling meaningfully all the while. Lete felt generous.

He could afford to be, he was the victor in the love tournament.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "You have ably defended your cause," exclaimed Rizal, pressing Lete's hands in farewell. "It seems to me you were born to become a lawyer."

But the barrier that Rizal had purposely erected between himself and Consuelo was in imminent danger of crumbling, because neither Lete nor Consuelo were really in love with each other and their ardor cooled with the passing of time.

Rizal must have realized that it was being together so much rather than love that wa'S' the cause of his preoccupation with Consuelo. This knowledge made him later wary of proposing to any girl while he was in Europe.

Somewhat of a flirt, with true feminine vanity, Consuelo flattered herself with the thought that Rizal truly and really loved her. A comparison of her diary with that of Rizal bears this out. She 'wrote: February 24, I884: Last night, as in days gone by, I was talking with Rizal. He told me that if he were now to make love to a girl, he would do so only by mouth because, he said, "as you know my heart is dry."

"That's one way to win always-but don't be too sure, because it's easy for some one to awaken it."

"Everything is possible. There are women capable of working miracles. There is one who has done it, who was able to convince me."

"That's something-so there you are ... " "Yes, that's true, but having found her does not mean that I possess her."

"That is so-but it's a lot, almost half of the road to be traveled ... " "In the store of the money changer are numerous banknotes and many attractive coins, but you forget that if one dared to ask for them ... " "The comparison you make is not exact. A banknote will assuredly not be given to you, but a heart-if you insistpossibly yes."

This is what I vaguely recall of our conversation. But in the struggles within that soul, in the profound meaning of his

ART OF LOVE MAKING

79

words as he said them one by one, emphasizing them with the accents of ill-suppressed passion, there was a moment when I thought I could .hear him say (perhaps it's the presumption of youth in me!): "You are the woman who has worked this mirac1e-I love you!" And certainly, unless my heart deceives me (and who knows if I am doing so just because of the satisfaction of being loved), certainly it seemed to me that he was on the point of saying so. But he held himself back, not so much for fear .of a refusal, but in order not to betray his friend (Lete). But I can say without fear of being mistaken that what I have written passed through his mind. Last night I was happy and sad at the same time.

On the other hand, Rizal, referring to that evening so memorable in Consuelo's mind, describes the visit in his diary in two sentences: "We have been to the house of the Pater,l Lete, Antonio, Estevan, Figueroa, and 1. Nothing in particular. " The 'carnival sea on opened late in January, 1884, and one evening Rizal decided to attend a masquerade ball to forget his loneliness. He enjoyed himself thoroughly and danced nearly all the numbers. Two lovely creatures, wearing black satin masks, flirted with him. They excited his curiosity so that he tried to find out who they were, but in vain. One morning, he found a pretty girl on the doorstep of a neighbor's house: his eyes followed her with admiration, but he was too much of a gentleman to try to make her acquaintance in an unconventional way. He had his human failings. !,hough he could not ~ ca]Jed handsome, he _had charming manners and posses;ed the rare art of conversation. Other paisanos much darker and uglier than he was, had various love affairs. A man as thoroughly masculine as Rizal was naturally attracted to beautiful women, and exerted a certain magnetism over them. This didn't mean he was fickle. Within the innermost recesses of his heart there was only Leonor, gentle Leonor Rivera, who longed for him all those years he was away without even glancing at another man. He was scared by a dream he had J

1

The nickname they gave to Don Pablo Ortiga.

80

THE GREAT MALAYAN

about her. He dreamt he had returned to the Islands, his parents had failed to meet him, and Leonor had been unfaithful.

"I like the women of my country very much," he wrote .that spring in one of his periodical self-analyses. "I don't know why, but I find in them something which I cannot define and which charms me and makes me dream. Talking about my country has awakened in my heart dormant memories.

Once in a while, a vague melancholy fills my heart, unfolding the past before my eyes. This, which used to happen quite often when I was a boy, also occurs at present-at rarer times perhaps, but with greater intensity. So many young women could have brightened my existence even for a single day; nevertheless, I'll retain my self-control. I am going to be like one of those travelers who treads a path lined with flowers: passing without touching them in the hope of finding something indefinable. He realizes the road is becoming more dry, until he finds himself at the end on a bleak plateau, regretting the past. My days pass swiftly and I find that I am very oldat least so my friends say-for my years. I lack the gaiety of young people, the smiling countenance of tranquil and satisfied hearts, the liveliness of those confident of their future. N evertheless, I believe I have not done anything which I have not wished or amply considered. I believe I am honest, nothing troubles my conscience, except perhaps the thought that I have deprived myself of many pleasures. I feel that my heart has lost none of its strength for love; only I find nobody to love.

I have wasted little of this emotion."

Yes, he was in love with Leonor, but not with passionate intensity. Neither was his love blind, because she was not his first love, though he loved her more with his heart than with his mind. Nobody approachecl the ideal woman he had created in his imagination. Only a woman combining intellect with physical beauty could have thoroughly satisfied him, but Marie Curies are rare in this world. He deliberately

ESTRANGED FROM THE CHURCH

81

banished all thought of love from his heart to devote himself more to the cause of his country. In the case of Leonor, distance and time made this possible; but he was not entirely successful, and she remained there to haunt his dreams. He dominated his affection for her with an iron will. During his stay in Europe he ran away from love several times. He couldn't helg becoming fond of women, but he fled in full retreat whenev~ ~ became aware of any danger. Of course, he could have pretended he was in love, but he was too honorable and knew his conscience would never permit such pretense. Because of this deliberate self-denial, he could truthfully state: "I find nobody to love-I have wasted little of this emotion."

Rizal's estrangement from the Catholic Church grew gradually, step by step, not in the wink of an eye, nor in a day or a week, but stretched across a period of several months, and only after much hea tburning and searching of the soul.

During his stay in Barcelona, he heard Mass every Sunday and church holiday. He even went to confession and took Holy Communion. But the atmosphere of religious freedom in a country not so uncompromisingly Catholic, as Spain appeared to him when compared to the Philippines, slowly caused changes in his outlook. In his country, everybody was a Catholic and freedom of worship was discouraged by the sheer force of numbers. In Spain this unanimity was lost-every man was free to think and worship as he pleased. Under such conditions it was natural for a mind like his to inquire into the origins and workings of the religion in which he was born and raised. At that moment he began to drift away, for the Church bases her hold on the faithful through dogmatic belief and upon blind faith without questions or doubts. His suspicion of organized religion arose from his mistrust of the pri~sts.

With his own eyes heyad seen how the representatives of God had corrupted spiritual channels to gain mater~al_advantages, how for their own ends they had made unf_air use of a supersti::'

.

THE GREAT MALAYAN tious people, and how they had insulted their own teachings by failing to live up to their vows of poverty and chastity.

That the friars possessed extensive landholdings and well-lined coffers were notorious facts commonly accepted by a docile brown population. A comparative study of religions opened his eyes to the fact that whenever a religion has sufficiently progressed to become established and organized, there emerges a compact group who claim supernatural rights in the ministration and interpretation of that particular religion and who tend to abuse the privileges of their position. Thus it was in ancient Egypt, Judeah, Greece, Rome, Araby, India, and China; likewise with the religion founded by the sublime Nazarene.

He was fair enough to admit that a religion should not be wholly judged by the character of a part of its priesthood. He could vouch for several priests such as Fathers Burgos and Gomez. Did the fact that the latter were of his own race have anything to do with this moral discrepancy? The Church and the State in his country were one and inseparable: the former dominated the latter. The merger had not produced good results. In the beginning, the Spanish conquistadores would have been handicapped in governing the Islands without the aid of the clergy, who acted as government representatives in the outlying barrios and were guided only by the holy desire to save souls for the greater glory of Jesus Christ. Many of them, like Friar Urdaneta, were former soldiers who had exchanged the sword for the cross; and, motivated by great kindness, even defended their poor flocks from the dishonesty of encomendadores. But the Church in the Philippines had long ago fallen upon evil times; the quality of the clergy who tilled the vineyard of the Lord had sadly deteriorated, as they were mainly recruited from the lowest classes of the sovereign country. Rizal's dislike for the clergy thus had political, economic, moral, and racial foundations.

Among the laymen who loudly proclaimed their devotion to the Catholic religion, he found much insincerity. His pu-

DISILLUSIONMENT ritanic soul revolted against such Pharisaic examples. His own life approached that of a monastic recluse, and although he did not keep away from the social life of the Filipino colony in Madrid, going to the extent of purchasing lottery tickets regularly, he avoided all kinds of excesses, be it gambling or drinking. There came a day during his stay in Madrid when he decided to cease observing the practices pre5cribed by the Catholic religion. He stopped going to church. From a devoted believer, as befitted the graduate of a Jesuit school, he swung to the opposite extreme and for a time was a confirmed agnostic, until, mellowed by time and made tolerant by further travel, he reaffirmed his belief in God but not in the Catholic Chur:ch or her priests. His spiritual suffering intensified his melancholic temperament, and he turned for relief to his books and the company of his friends. He attended the theater to forget, preferring the dramas of Shakespeare, especially Hamlet. An intellectual man, however, cannot expel a force as intense as religion without substituting something in its place. In "his case, the desire to help his country, to awaken her from sleep by prodding the dormant nationalism of his fellow countrymen, became his ambitiona veritable religion for which he expressed time and again a willingness to sacrifice his life.

An index of his disillusionment may be gleaned from a cOllversation he had with Consuelo Ortiga y Rey. "If I believed in certain things, I'd say you were immortal," said Consuelo in one of their numerous talks.

"Immortal?" he echoed.

"Because of many things," she replied archly.

"I seriously doubt it," he said gloomily, "for it seems to me that I will die soon, and if something happens which I have thought about and have not told anybody, I will tell you about it regardless of where I am in order that you may be right."

THE GREAT MALAYAN "I will write that down as soon as we get home," she replied gayly, wondering at the same time what meaning he could have given to her words.

After a pause Rizal said he did not believe in anybodythat he had lost faith.

"How can you live in that case?" she asked.

"Without it," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"On the contrary," she hastened to say, "I think we .should believe in something to nourish us in our enterprises and in case misfortune should confront us."

"When a priest says so, I don't believe it; but if you were the one to say so, I'd believe," said Rizal gallantly.

"How I wish I had the power to make you believe!"

On May 15 of that year, the celebration of the fiesta of San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, furnished Rizal with additional material for his penetrating studies of Castilian life.

Spanish writers, mostly friars, had painted the early Filipinos in unflattering colors, condemning their customs. Rizal believed that every nationality has its own peculiarities, and in turn took delight in ridiculing the traditions of a race that looked down on his own. .

The incongruity of the fiesta in question lay in that the patron saint was a. humble laborer of the poorest classes who worked for a rich landowner, so untypical of Madrid, which was the least agricultural and least democratic of all the cities in the peninsula. One morning long ago, so the story goes, neighbors brought San Isidro news that wolves were attac~ing his herd but he would not leave because he was attending Mass.

When he did leave, he found his cattle all slain. "If San Isidro had lived in our day," chuckled Rizal, "despite the Holy Mass he would have been fired, and instead of being worshipped in churches he probably would have found himself brought before a judge and imprisoned."

The day had degenerated from a religious to a popular celebration. On that day, hundreds of Madrilefios in the early

SPANISH FIESTA afternoon took a coach, or walked to the Meadow of San Isidro, southwest of the city limits just across the shallow Manzanares river. In company with some paisanos, Rizal joined the throng that jammed the stony road leading to the meadow. It was their habit to go on an occasional excursion or picnic, to the Escorial or Alcala de Henares, and to the city parks on days when their pocketbooks were lean. A small chapel dedicated to the saint occupied the center of the meadow; to one side were the cemetery and the market place where the pictures and statuettes of the saint were sold. The celebration was in reality more of a picnic than a religious observance; everybody carried along his dinner in wicker baskets from which peeped flat loaves of bread, sausages, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and bottles of sour red wine. The paisanos inspected the knicknacks on sale and burst into laughter when they saw the tiny statue of an aged couple, both emaciated and clothed only in nightshirts, squatting on nightpots! They snickered at the rival signs that announced to the public: "Fancy cakes made by the true daughter of Tia Javiera."

"Genuine fancy cakes made by a legitimate relative of Tia Javiera."

"Authentic fancy cakes made by a niece of Tia Javiera."

"This Tia Javiera," drawled Rizal, "must have been a regular factory of fancy cakes."

Couples danced the fandango to the music of guitars.

Many were eating, some sitting, others lying down. Persons flushed with wine danced to the music and kissed and hugged regardless of the public. Night fell. The Christian fiesta had become an orgy, a wild celebration of pagan days in the distant past. .. Rizal and his friends left, cynically amused by the antics of a supposedly superior race.

Rizal's efforts to unite the colony received a powerful impetus when Juan Luna's masterpiece, "The Spoliarium," was awarded first prize among scores of entries in the Madrid Exposition of 1 884. News of the award acted like an electric

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shock to the paisanos; now they had reason to be proud of their nationality-one of their members had gained international renown in a realm as capricious as art. A triumphal banquet was organized. The hat was passed around for contributions to buy a gold-plated laurel wreath as a memento to Luna, also an album which guests could autograph with appropriate phrases. Every student contributed: Valentin Ventura gave twenty duros; Dayot, who was away, sent three pesetas; others with a pension as little as fifty duros a month, like Aguirre, donated ten duros. Among the elder members, nobody gave except one.

High government officials, renowned artists, and others were invited for the first time to a Filipino reunio~. The banquet was held June 25, 1884, on the day Rizal took the examination in Greek from which he emerged with a prize. Directly from his classroom, without lunch or tea, Rizal proceeded to the Restaurant Ingles. Pedro Paterno had arranged for Filipino music to be played from the adjoining room; absolute silence reigned until the last bars were played, and in many eyes gleamed hidden tears. They felt as if the ' spirit of their distant country was blessing them that evening, and the strangers present respected their grief.

Rizal was scheduled to deliver the main speech, substituting for Paterno, who had abandoned the task the week before.

At the center of the main table was seated Luna; to his right, Labra, Correa, Nin, and Tudo; to his left, Moret, Aguilera, and Mellado; and scattered around were Morayta, Regidor, Manuel de Azcarraga, the three Paternos, del Val, painters, politicians, and newspapermen. A total of sixty persons was present ..

Rizal felt nervous. He had never made an address in public before. That he had taken pains in composing his speech and had committed the words to memory comforted him a little. He spoke slowly at first, but as he gained confidence the inspired phrases came freely from his lips and held

BANQUET FOR LUNA his audience spellbound. In poetic words he described the art of Luna and Hidalgo, their differences and their similarities, and skilfully injected politics by a bold appeal for reform in the Spanish administration of the Philippines. His speech was warmly applauded and printed in newspapers, which eventually found their way to Manila where they were eagerly read by friends and foes alike.

"You don't know how sad I feel whenever I hear from the lips of those who talk about you," wrote his mother in one of her rare letters. "That is why my request to you is never to meddle in matters which might cause me sorrow. Well, it's up to you to take pity on me. .. Above all, dear son, I ask of you never to fail in your duties as a Christian ... as sometimes learning leads us to our downfall."

Great was his filial respect, his obedience to his parents, but on these two points he could not follow lier advice, for that would be a betrayal of his ideals and convictions. Of what value were his studies, his aspirations, if he could not follow them to a logical conclusion? He smiled when he read Paciano's letter relating how the friars had let them have additional land to rent in Pansol, a vil~age at the foot of Mount Makiling. Paciano put up all sorts of reasons why Jose shouldn't act in a manner displeasing to the friars and begged him to be more prudent. Good old PacianO-some would call him a realist, others a greedy opportunist, but in reality he was so stooped over the soil that he failed to see the glory of the sun and the skies. Did the friars really think they could bribe him, Jose, into silence that way? No, he would never trade his birthright for a mess of pottage!

The banquet for Luna had beneficial effects. It sobered the Filipino students into the realization that they had a definite mission. Many began writing articles for the various periodicals, taking up the cudgels in defense of their race and their country. Interest in their studies was renewed, and many of them graduated that year from the university. At the re-

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union given on New Year's Eve in 1884, even the elder members were present, encouraged by the previous success.

Pedro Paterno published Ninay early in 1885, and gained some renown as a writer. His sentimental portrayal of the Philippines was a disappointment to the fiery members of the colony, but it did not surprise Rizal who knew his mediocre qualities. In a way, Rizal was glad, for by that time half of the novel he planned to publish was finished. Close friends heard about it and begged him to let them read a few chapters.

"Y ou may not agree with my ideas, but I want to know what you think of the form and substance of my novel," said Rizal to Gomez de la Serna, handing him a few chapters of the book.

"Perhaps I may not agree with you, dear Rizal," replied la Serna, "but I will read it with the interest that all your works deserve."

Rizal and la Serna often quarreled over political topics.

The latter believed in 'the slow evolutionary progress of the Islands under Spain but without the presence of friars; the former felt pessimistic as to the possibility of this because the glorious and generous Spain he found abroad was not to be found in the Philippines.

"You cannot be one of us!" said Rizal sadly, at the end of one of their disputes.

"And why not?" inquired la Serna, a bit offended.

Rizal pointed a- finger at his friend's face. "Because of the difference in the color of our skins."

The death of the Kalamba parish priest, Padre Lopez, started the series of friar abuses which were to culminate in the persecution of Rizal's family . . His death moved Jose deeply, as a bond of affection had grown up between them since that time when the good padre had apologized for doubting his godson's ability as a poet. "I should like to press your hand once again in farewell before I die," he wrote in his last letter to Jose.

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89

The vicar of the district, a friar, promptly went to Kalamba and took possession of the parish's cash box. The box was locked and the key was in Manila, but the wily vicar hit upon a solution. Francisco Mercado, relative of the deceased, was forced by threats to advance in gold pieces the estimated amount within the box. Fearing reprisals, the elder Mercado gave in to the unjust demand. Paciano was away, and when he came back h~ spoke openly against the transaction, but it was too late.

A year later Laguna residents found themselves in financial straits. The warehouses bulged with sacks of cane sugar.

The use of beets as a good source of sugar had just been discovered in Europe. Overproduction in that commodity followed, and prices went tumbling down. Naturally, Filipino farmers did' not want to sell their produce at bargain prices and held out for better times. The friars had gradually raised taxes in the preceding years, and craftily avoided issuing receipts to tenants who might question-as they later did-the legality of the supposed title deeds owned by the corporations.

Taxes were paid each 1une, and when Kalamba tenants failed to pay promptly because of the economic crisis, the administrator, without inquiring into the reason for non-payment, promptly declared the lands vacant and ready for lease to residents of adjoining towns. In desperation, many tenants sold their sugar at absurd prices and took great losses.

Rizal, preparing to leave Madrid for Paris to specialize in ophthalmology in order to cure his mother, read the news first with resentment, then with fierce exultation as he realized the friars were adding more fuel to the pile-Only a spark was needed to ignite it!

CHAPTER VI FLYING trip to the fertile regions of Andalusia and Valencia-and then to Paris! Rizal read, spoke, and wrote French almost as fluently as Castilian, and felt at home on Parisian streets. The French were so polite, so refined, it was a pleasure to stay in their country. He spent long hours in the clinic of Dr. L. de Weckert, leading ophthalmologist, first as an interested spectator and later as a participant in delicate operations that restored sight to the blind. He continued with the strict self-discipline he had imposed on himself while in Madrid. He followed a certain schedule, dividing his days into hours for study, diversion, and sleep; and budgeted the money he received, scrimping on living expenses. There were weeks when he ate only once a day to stretch out the few francs he had left until the next remittance from Manila, and when his mother heard of it through Paciano she wept softly. To save on barbershop expenses, -Jose even had his hair cut close to the skull. He frequented the home of Pardo de Tavera, focal point of the Filipino colony in Paris much in the same way that the house of Ortiga y Rey was in Madrid.

A

The Tavera brothers, Trinidad and Felix, were both phySICIans. The eldest, because he was tall and thin, physically resembled Don Quixote, although in character he was more like Sancho Panza. He was a student of languages and had first met Rizal a year before in Madrid while writing a philological monograph on word roots that Tagalog had derived from Sanskrit. After their first long conversation, they felt bouRd together not only by ties of common national origin but also by common feelings and aims. Both belonged to the Filipino intellectual burgeoisie, both believed in education as the means of national salvation, but where Pardo was Iron, Rizal was steel.

90

OF CLEOPATRA"

(Cou,rlesy Al/onso

'W hile in Paris, Juan :tuna poseel hi s frie nds in labl ea ux lik e lhe one above, wilh him self playing the leading role as the unforlunale Queen of the N ile. RiLal is sca led ill lhe foregro und wearing Egyplian vestmenls.

" D EATH

PARIS ,.

Juan Luna had shifted his studio to Paris and often visited the Pardos. He was courting Paz, buxom younger sister of the Pardo brothers. Winter days seemed brief in the studio of Luna who, in the spirit of fun, once dressed them in costumes and had the scene photographed by a camera, which was then coming into use, and jokingly called the photograph "The Death of Cleopatra," after his canvas which had won second prize in the Madrid Exposition four years before. Rizal was pictured seated on the floor, dressed as a young priest. Luna, wearing an Egyptian headdress and flowing robes, lay on some boards to one side of Rizal. He was supposed to represent the famous Queen of the Nile, in spite of the fact that he was fat and had black mustachios that curled upward! In a more serious mood, Luna painted a historical scene, using Trinidad Pardo as a model for Legaspi and Rizal as Chief Sikatuna of Bohol drinking to their: blood compact. The other Filipino painter, Hidalgo, was also in Paris and at work on "Les Captives."

Headed by Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Renoir, and Monet, a new school of painters was causing excitement in the Parisian world of art. Both Luna and Hidalgo had broken away from the stiff formalism of Delacroix and the minute exactness of David, but they found the Impressionists too violent. The brilliant coloring and the subjective approach to form were too recent an innovation to influence their style. Painting was an art just discovered by Filipinos, and it would have been illogical to find among them radicals in that field. The problem of Luna and Hidalgo was not to blaze a new trail in the realm of art but rather to perfect their technique in the established channels of expression. Rizal, as a dabbler in art, was an interested spectator of the revolution started by the Impressionists, but he remained aloof. He kept working on his novel and finished three-fourths of it before he left for Germany that February.

When Rizal learned that Ma~onry was in reality more

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of a fraternal, benevolent, co-operative society than an institution inspired by Satan, as claimed by many pious Catholics, he became a member of a small Paris lodge.

Heidelberg university, former center of humanism and the chief intellectual stronghold of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, was celebrating its five hundredth anniversary in 1886, and in that place Rizal decided to spend a semester. He . had painstakingly studied the language, and felt that only a stay of several months in that country could enable him to master it. He was the only Filipino in that center of learning, but he did not mind that for he felt that his isolation would help him absorb better the true spirit of Germany.

The town lay on a long, narrow strip of flat land between the hills of Heidelberg and the N eckar river to the north, a branch of the mighty Rhine. He found a boarding house on Ober Neckar Strasse facing the river. Behind rose the Schloss on a wooded spur of the Konigstuhl hill. The Schloss, older even than the university by a centuI.:Y and a half, was the chief attraction of the region: it was the largest, most impressive, and most beautifully located ruin in that country; the richness of its architecture was probably unequalled by any other German castle. ' He took long walks in the hills to the south, exploring the picturesque by-ways, pausing frequently to enjoy the beau~y of the landscape. He explored the two tunnels through which trains passed and marveled at their length and roominess. He met an old woman in the castle in one of his periodical visits to the place, and promptly imagined her one of the spirits that haunted deserted ruins. He played chess with his classmates in the various rathskellers where students congregated for a congenial glass of beer.

A few months after his arrival, he was honored with membership in a chess club. Several times he witnessed students' duels with heavy sabers. German students considered the ugly scars left by such duels as honorable marks of their courage, but

IN OLD HEIDELBERG

93

Rizal's pacific nature inclined him to view them as remnants of barbarism. His friends were good-natured and amiable, and he wondered how they could be so quarrelsome on the slightest provocation. As he was not regularly enrolled in the university, he attended classes more as an observer than as a student.

He attended lectures in law, a subject in which he was interested, and thus his friends at Heidelberg took him for a law student.

Spring brought out the green buds on trees and prompted him to write an ode to the flowers of Heidelberg. So much did he love its charming simplicity that he spent the summer in the Odenwald, a mountain resort thirty kilometers to the northeast. In these rustic surroundings he found the spiritual peace he had sought since that day in Madrid when he repudiated Catholicism. A Protestant minister, strange to say, furnished him with the background against which he gained a perspective on religion. They discussed their respective beliefs, the merits and drawbacks of Christianity, the differences between Catholics and Protestants-all in the friendliest spirit.

They came to the conclusion that religion should not make . enemies of men but should bring them closer together in brotherhood.

Could he have held such a conversation with a Spanish Catholic priest? He laughed at the thought. Instead of discussing theological points, he knew he would have been showered with abuse. Great was his surprise, then, when he met a Catholic priest, a German who visited the Lutheran pastor regularly once a month. How different was this Catholic priest from the ones he had known back in the Islands I Despite the difference in their religious views, the two priests were intimate friends; they considered themselves as the servants of the same God, and instead of passing the time trying to convert each other, they attended to their parochial duties in peace, leaving the Almighty to judge in the hereafter, which of the two had performed better His will on earth. There, in the long

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

94

twilight of the northern summer, as they watched the darkgreen fir and pine trees silhouetted against the deep blue sky, and inhaled deeply of the invigorating mountain air filled with the perfume of balsam, the three quietly discussed the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and kindred topics with which all intelligent men have grappled since the beginning of time. Mellowed by these talks, impressed by the tolerance exhibited by his two friends, Rizal revised parts of the novel he was finishing and softened many of the harsh phrases he had for Catholicism in the Philippines. His troubled soul had at last found peace.

The festivities marking the fifth centenary of the university were held during the first week of August. Rizal returned to Heidelberg to observe the celebration. On the evening of August 5 was the Schlossfest: 1 the castle was decorated and students carried pine-tar torches as they rambled around the ruins.

From the banks of the Neckar, the castle seemed studded with fireflies like a Christmas tree. The next day, Friday, the university held its festzug.2 All of the students, including Rizal, attended the celebration. Some were attired in elegant costumes. Muller, the student leader, was dressed like Frederick the Great; Liebermann wore the costume of a seventeenth century gentleman; Gregoire was covered with a shaggy coat, for he represented the wolf of Schwaben. 3 In the midst of the joymaking, Rizal wondered if he would ever return to Heidelberg.

He felt like a seed scattered by the wind, or a drop of water falling from the skies-knowing not its ultimate destination.

"Perhaps within two days," he wrote in his diary that evening, "I shall leave this happy town and again seek the unknown in distant lands. I always travel alone, leaving friendships barely formed, parting from so many persons who care for me, never to see them again, going from one city to another, without love 1 Special

feast or celebration of the castle.

Festivities.

3 A geographical name.

2

GERMANY

95

or fortune, depending wholly on luck. " Ah! how I long for my distant country! Now I remember my home, and now I plan to rest. I have wandered through many lands, I have seen so many customs, I have dealt with so many people, that I have almost no idea of the ideal. I have not seen more than the shadow of what is good and what is bad. I have loved-I have subdued it. If this life continues, my heart will end by dying."

The river Rhine was a silver stream through the hills and dales of southwestern Germany that beckoned to the adventurous spirit of Rizal. On the 9th of August, he boarded a train for Mannheim, where the Neckar joined the mighty Rhine on its far journey to the Dutch sea. At Mannheim a pair of midgets, each weighing seven pounds, was on exhibit.

Jose wanted to see them, but decided not to do so in order to save his money for what he needed most. He was traveling third class. By this time, he was accustomed to traveling in the cheapest transportation. He found that the third-class coaches in Germany were clean and decent in contrast to those of Spain.

The summer heat was becoming unbearable. He continually mopped his brow. The woolen clothes he wore felt exceedingly hot and uncomfortable-how he wished for the cool barong tagalog of his native land! A large group of peasants boarded the train shortly after it left Mannheim, and started singing loudly.

"Heavens," said Jose to himself, "another torment added to this sweltering heat!"

In Mainz he boarded a little steamer for the trip down the Rhine. It was the first time he had been on a boat since his arrival in Marseilles four years earlier. The Rhine reminded him of his own Pasig river. The scene just beyond Mainz with its factories bore a slight resemblance to Mandaluyong, near the suburb of Santa Ana. Biebrich reminded Rizal of the opulent suburb of San Miguel, summer residence of the Spanish Governor-General, with its imposing buildings and extensive

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gardens. The Rhine made a sudden turn In an eastward direction, and to the north the Rheingau mountains loomed green and fresh in the distance.

He paused at the town of Rudesheim to visit the famous Niederwald, at the upper end of the narrower part of the Rhine valley. He took the cog wheel . railway from the town to the site of the national monument, passing through numerous vineyards from which the famous Rhenish white wine is obtained. The monument, newly erected at that time, commemorated the foundation of the new German empire after the victorious Franco-German war of 1870. It stood upon a projecting spur of the hill, commanding a magnificent view of the river. Rizal walked past the monument towards the Jagdschloss. A squirrel kept scolding him all the way. The squirrel sat with curved tail and forepaws to its mouth, chattering noisily, until Jose got within an arm's length, then scampered further back into the woods. Rizal followed the animal. The morning sun shone from a clear blue sky. The forest was quiet and deserted. Like the usual tourist, he took out his pen-knife and carved his initials on the bark of one of the trees.

He reached the J agdschloss, an old shooting lodge with a roof of chalk in the form of a cave. Feeling thirsty, he ordered a glass of lemonade, and was surprised when the attendant charged the exorbitant price of 50 pfennigs for it. He walked to the Rossel, an artificial ruin perched on the highest point of the Niederwald, where an old man with a long white beard was stationed. Down below he could see the Mause Turm} or Mouse Tower, on a rock in the middle of the river.

The legend ran that centuries ago an archbishop caused a number of poor people, whom he compared to mice bent on devouring the corn, to be burned in a barn during a famine, whereupon he was pursued to the island in the middle of the ri~er by hordes of mice and devoured alive.

By noon Rizal returned to Rudesheim and continued his journey aboard another steamer. The stately elm trees which

DOWN THE RHINE

97

lined the shores from Mainz to Rudesheim, were now infrequent. Ruins of castles were seen oftener as the towns of Rheinstein, Trechtlinghausen, Falkenbourg, and others passed in swift succession. Then came Coblenz, where the river Mosel joined the Rhine, and further down, Neuwi.ed, where the Krupp steel factories turned out cannon as well as ploughs in abundance.

A summer thunderstorm broke, delaying them for an hour and a half. It washed away the summer heat so completely that the women on board had to wear woolen shawls. Jose met two young Dutch girls, tourists like himself. Talking with them reminded him of the Dutch sisters with whom he traveled from Singapore to Marseilles.

In Bonn he took the train for Cologne, which proved so attractive he almost decided to stay there instead of continuing his trip. Rizal marveled at the Gothic cathedral, with its arches and colonnades that gave an impression of perfect symmetry. He laboriously climbed the hundreds of steps to the tower and gazed in silent admiration at the surrounding countryside. It seemed to him the spot was even higher than the Eiffel Tower of Paris. As he looked out from the top of the cathedral he gasped at the beauty of the landscape - the splendid edifices of the third largest city in Germany and the pointed spires of the numerous churches. He decided to inspect the church more closely, and marveled at the way in which the colors of the various stones were blended. The rich tapestries, the iron work, and the wonderful wood carvings took up much of his time. He wandered around the city, admired a statue of Von Moltke, and visited the museum of fine arts, which more than fulfilled his expectations.

Cologne was as far down the Rhine as he cared to go. On the next day he began the return trip by boat. Three Japanese tourists joined the steamer at Coblenz. While in Cologne, Rizal was told by a porter at the museum that he had been there once before. He wondered how the porter could have been

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mistaken. When one of the Japanese admitted having been in Cologne, Rizal guessed readily what had really happened. He then surprised the Japanese by telling him that he knew of his visit to the museum. The three Japanese were very courteous.

One of them resembled Pedro Paterno even to the mustache.

Near Mainz Rizal saw for the first time young German and English women with hair cut short to their necks. One of them, he noticed, did not have her ears pierced with the traditional hole for earrings. He admired German women for their industry, thrift, and simplicity. German women loved their homes and were wonderful cooks and housekeepers; they did not care much for clothes or jewelry, unlike the women of his native country. During his stay in Heidelberg, he never heard women bickering on the streets, a common enough occurrence in Madrid. These blond women walked with long easy strides, almost like men, but despite their good points Rizal felt that they lacked the cardinal virtue of Filipino women: a certain tenderness of the heart.

Mainz lay at the crossroads. Rizal took a train for Ft;ankfurt, but not without bidding farewell to the Rhine. Perhaps, he mused, the same waves evaporated by the sun will turn into snow on the Alps and one day join the same river, like humanity absorbing the substance of those who died long ago. In that case, what 'about the spirit? Does it return-does it even exist? He felt certain he would never see the mighty Rhine again. Other currents, just as powerful, would drag him away to an unknown destination-and then he, too, would be lost in the ocean of humanity. The Rhine was beautiful, but so was the Pasig river of his country. He thrilled at the thought that if there were more beautiful buildings along the banks of his native river, the Pasig would have nothing to envy the Rhine except for its lengthy course. He picked up a book on Rhenish legends, and immersed himself in the German script while the train chugged on its way to Frankfurt.

An ill-paired ' couple boarded the train at Kastel. The

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man was young and not bad to look at, with reddish mustache that curled upward at the tips. The woman was old and rather ugly. Evidently they were on their honeymoon, for they acted like turtle doves. She often touched her head to his brow, as if to kiss him. Rizal pretended to look at the scenery.

He spent late Friday and early Saturday sight-seeing in Frankfurt. The Stadel Art Institute surprised him pleasantly.

The building was magnificent, composed of marble and mosaic patterns tastefully arranged; evidently, the edifice was worth more than the art treasures it housed. After a visit to the zoological garden, Rizal wandered to the old quarters, down the Jew's Alley where the synagogue was located. The temple was magnificently decorated and it was obvious the Jews were very generous when it came to religious matters. Out of curiosity, Jose entered. Scores of devotees were praying, with heads covered by a ceremonial cloth. The cantor sang in a beautiful tenor voice. Rizal felt profoundly affected by what he saw.

These were men and women practicing a religion older than Christianity itself! He grimaced when he thought of the religion practised in his own land. He became firmly convinced that religious tolerance was a virtue which should be universally cultivated with great profit to mankind in general.

Leipzig was his next stop. The train was filled with passengers. The route now lay across battlefields where the great Napoleon had defeated armies sent against him by the Germans and her allies. Two Prussian soldiers were in the same coach.

They pointed out to Rizal where Napoleon had scattered an opposing army of forty thousand men. Rizal wondered what they did with the dead. As far as he could see, the vast meadow where the battle took place was now covered by potato sprouts.

The soldiers kept looking at him and whispering to each other. After some polite remarks, they decided to satisfy their curiosity.

"Are you a Frenchman?" one of them asked in German. ÂŤNein/' Rizal replied.

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

"An Italian, perhaps?"

Rizal smiled and shook his head. He was accustomed to such questions and did not take them for impertinence. These two were part of the best-drilled army in the world-he admired the thoroughness and efficiency of the German military machine-but they were so provincial. ;; ~ "I live m~lrther away than Italy," he added.

IP' "Then you're from Turkey, ja?" ,_ "Nein y s~rther-the Philippine Islands." ~c----TllesoIdiers opened their mouths in surprise and wonder filled their blue eyes. They lapsed into silence, trying to recall the geographic knowledge learned in childhood regarding the precise spot on the other side of the globe where the Islands could be found.

They reached the ancient town of Fulda early next morning. Here St. Boniface founded his celebrated abbey in the eighth century. The numerous towers and public buildings still testified to its ancient dignity as the residence of a Prince of the Church. This was the alleged cradle of the apocryphal 1 books, Rizal found, which obscured so much history and religion in Spain.

Just before coming into Leipzig later that morning, they passed through another famous battlefield where three conquerors had won important battles: Frederick the Great, Gustavus Adolphus, and Napoleon Bonaparte. As he viewed the scene rapidly passing before his eyes, Jose thought of the thousands of lives wasted for the glorification of some ambitious ruler and wondered why laurel trees did not grow on the blooddrenched fields instead of prosaic wheat and potatoes.

A fine rain was falling when the train pulled up at the Leipzig station. Despite the unfavorable climatic reception, 1 Parts of the Old Testament whidl have led to bitter controversy among Christians.

LEIPZIG

101

Leipzig pleased him immensely. The numerous public buildings, the wide, clean streets, the courteous inhabitants-these were the jewels with which any city could tempt strangers. He tramped around the streets, looking for a place to stay, and finally found a modest apartment house on Albert strasse, half a kilometer from the hub of the city, where he secured a room at the rate of twenty-one marks a month excluding breakfasts and chambermaid service. The cost of living in the Rhine region was high, but here it was more reasonable. The trip had taken him five days and the cost had flattened his pocketbook considerably, but it was worth it. He planned to stay in Leipzig during autumn and then spend the winter in Berlin.

Rizal roamed around the town, visiting museums and galleries. He came to know Dr. Hans Meyer, author of one of the most extensive encyclopaedic dictionaries in Germany, who had visited the Philippines two months after Rizal's departure.

He also made excursions into the countryside, and in company with one of the university professors visited Reudnitz, site of one of the largest beer factories in northern Germany, which LUrned out 100,000 liters of the amber liquid every day. To keep himself physically fit, he went to the gymnasium (Germans called them turnhalle) four times a week, paying a fee of only 75 pfennigs a month.

The novel he had started in Madrid nearly two years ago was now almost finished. He spent much time polishing phrases, changing scenes and shifting words. He knew he couldn:t find a publisher for it in :M anila-that was unthinkable in a country where ecclesiastical censorship predominated.

In Spain, perhaps ... but publishers wouldn't risk money on an unknown writer. The great majority of the Spaniards were smugly satisfied that their colonial policy was the best. They had managed colonies for four centuries and were thus preeminently fitted by destiny and experience to rule over brownskinned natives, without the advice of foreigners, much less of the native themselves, conveniently overlooking the fact that

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earlier in the century they had stupidly lost the vast continent of South America. The only recourse then for Rizal was to assume the dual role of author-publisher. The financial side worried him. Paciano could not get hold of much cash at that time, and the printers in Madrid and Leipzig asked too much.

Where would he get the money? He could only hope for the best. ..

In the meantime he had entered into a correspondence with Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, an ethnologist of Leitzmeritz, Bohemia (now Czechoslovakia), who was studying Philippine languages. Blumentritt was a Roman Catholic and a defender of the friars in the Islands. Rizal held different views, and this started a discussion by correspondence which developed into a life-long friendship.

"I shall not forget your warning with reference to' religiop," wrote Rizal to Blumentritt that August. "I admit that the friars have done much good, or at least have wanted to do so. But allow me to add that they were very well paid for their services, first by earthly riches and afterwards in heaven. In truth, they have exchanged the fields of our anc'estors for those of heaven. S.ir! you know our country through books written by friars and Spaniards, who copied among themselves. If you had grown up in one of our towns as I did and witnessed the sufferings of our peasants, you would have a different conception of Catholicism in the Philippines. I have had the opportunity of studying the religions of Europe. I have found Christianity splendid and Catholicism attractive as well as poetic.

It is Christianity made poetic and beautiful, much finer than insipid Protestantism-but all these are unknown in my country, especially by our peasants."

He left Leipzig, center of the European book-mart, on the 29th of October for Berlin via Dresden, the center of Saxony.

He had heard of Dr. A, B. Meyer, director of the Dresden Zoological and Ethnographical Museum and author of various

(Cou rt esy Trinidad Rita/)

FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT

Intimate friend of the national hero and a stout champion of Filipino rights and liberties. This picture was dated Apri l, 1889, Leitzmeritz, Bohemia (now Czechoslovakia).

DRESDEN

10

3

monographs on the Philippines. Rizal wanted to meet and talk with all these German scholars who studied his country from a scientific approach. He knew they had formed notions about the Islands from knowledge they received from Spaniards, and he waqted to convince them of their mistake. This was a part of his nationalistic campaign. He was not disappointed in Dr. Meyer, who received him courteously and chatted for hours on anthropological topics of mutual interest.

Before leaving Dresden Jose decided to hear Mass at the Catholic church. It seemed ages ago since he had entered one He smiled when he remembered his days at the Ateneo Municipal. Instead of feeling a deep religious fervor, as he would have long ago, he paid minute attention to the organ music which rolled through the aisles in majestic tones. A woman was singing in a pure, clear voice. He knew enough to appreciate good music. A sign on the pews, "Reserved "for Catholics," drew his attention. He noticed there were many visitors who were not Catholics, and that they preferred to stand rather than kneel or sit down.

After the service he visited the Museum Johanneum, where he gaped at the magnificent crown jewels of the Kingdom of Saxony. In the evening he attended the Royal Theater to see a play by Lessing called Nathan the Wise) and was thoroughly bored by the poor acting of the players. Many Jews attended the performance, and a beautiful Jewess in front of him, carried away by emotion, cried without restraint. A cabman who took him from the hotel to the railroad station tried to cheat him, but fortunately a policeman came to the rescue.

The third-class coach in which he rode was heated by steam. The day had turned cold and clear. Rizal felt happy for some strange reason. Despite the wooden seats, third-class .coaches in Germany were superior to second-class compartments in Spain. Pine trees lined the route, and small towns dotted the scenery. It was autumn and the leaves on the

10

4

THE GREAT MALAYAN

trees were turning all shades of red and yellow; the green was giving way to reddish yellow and orange. Rizal's companion was a corpulent, red-faced German who talked as incessantly as a Spaniard on a trip. Fortunately, they were alone in the compartment. The express train sped through the landscape at' the rate of a kilometer a minute, and shortly after lunch time reached the teeming metropolis of Berlin.

)

CHAPTER

VII

T was unusually cold that winter. Rizal welcomed the invigorating cold weather, but this time apparently it did not agree with his health. For one thing, he had placed himself on a strict vegetarian diet because it was cheaper. He wanted to save every pfennig he could for the publication of his novel. His physical resistance weakened, he nevertheless embarked on a foolhardy venture. A group of gymnasts at the turnhalle he attended boasted of their physical strength. Rizal was quicker and more skillful, but they regarded his agility with condescension-they prized strength alone. He was a head shorter than any of them, but constant exercise had given him a suppleness and power beyond his size. So he told them casually he would lift the same weight that their champion could handle, given two weeks' time for practice. He was not trying to match their boast, but his racial and personal pride were at stake. Two weeks later he fulfilled his word, and a feeling of gratification surged within him as he noticed the mockery in their eyes change to surprised admiration. However, the effort resulted in a relapse that kept him bedridden for many days that winter.

I

Feeling discouraged about the publication of his book, he was on the point of throwing the manuscript into the fire and forgetting all about it. He felt terribly depressed. At vesper time, a chill shook his frame, followed by a fever and an occasional cough that racked him. He realized he had all the symptoms of incipient pulmonary tuberculosis. Was it his fate to die in a dark and dirty apartment house on Jaeger strasse, an obscure student with nothing accomplished?

The allowance for which he had been waiting for weeks from home failed to arrive. He was alone in a great city, with practically no friends or paisanos who could tide him over until 105

I I

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THE GREAT MALAYAN ",-

the draft from Paciano came. He did not need to tale an inventory of his路 resources-he knew to the last pfennig how much he had. He set aside a certain sum for stamps and a telegram to be sent to friends in Europe as a final resort-the rest was for food. He had written to Juan Luna for a loan; he counted the number of days before he could expect a reply from Paris, and accordingly divided the few marks he had left so as to have a little something to eat each day. His funds were so low that his daily allowance did not permit more than a bread and water diet.

He had been hungry before, during his stay in Madrid, but never on such a long stretch as this. Rent for his roomthank heavens-included breakfasts: tea or cafe au lait/ a roll and a dab of butter. He was too proud to let his landlady know of his impoverished condition. At lunch and dinner time he went forth on a walk to keep up the pretense that he was having his meals. The weather had turned cold and an empty stomach made these walks far from comfortable. In the cities of Germany, as elsewhere in the cities of the northern countries of Europe, the kitchens are frequently located in the basement and receive light and ventilation through iron grills in the pavements. Thus, at mealtime, the savory odors from the basement kitchens permeate the sidewalks. Rizal, cold and hungry, suffered the pains of a Tantalus as he pounded the pavements of Berlin.

A telegram in mid-December from Maximo Viola, a fellow medical student in Barcelona, revived his spirits. While in Spain a year and half ago, they had planned to go on a trip through Central Europe. And now Viola was coming to Berlin a week before Christmas I He was rich and perhaps could be of some aid in the patriotic task of awakening their fellow countrymen from the lethargy of the centuries. ~izal met Viola at the railroad station and immediately interested him In the proposed novel. Viola without hesitation offered to 1

French for coffee with milk.

PUBLICATION OF THE NOLI

7

10

advance the three hundred dollars needed for the printing of two thousand copies.

Rizal refused at first. Antonio Regidor in London, Pa~ ciano in Kalamba, and Luna in Paris knew of his work and had promised to help him financially. Luna had sold his "Spoliarium" for twenty thousand pesetas and was thus for a time wealthy. But the expected help was late in arriving.

Luna got married to Paz Pardo de Tavera, and the sugar crop in Kalamba had not yet been sold. Rizal rewrote the entire book, condensing and omitting paragraphs and even chapters.

In addition to the fact that the novel would be improved -by the elimination of unnecessary words and scenes, Rizal knew that the cost of printing would be cheaper.

He was torn by doubts. Would the book really succeed in awakening his countrymen? Paciano assured him if he spoke the bitter truth! the book would not be welcome in the Islands, and Paciano was sur-e it would not contain falsehoods or twisted facts meant to please. If the novel failed, then he would write it in French for a European audience. To acquire a greater facility in that language, he kept writing French essays and even took lessons in rhetoric from a Parisian who was the tutor of the German Emperor'.g family.

If the novel succeeded?.. Friends in Europe and the Islands had warned him not to return. Paciano was emphatic about it. "You decided on your departure; now let me decide on your return," wrote Paciano. Dr. Felipe Zamora advised him to assume another nationality, so that if he landed in Ma~ nila he would be safe from the vengeance of the Spanish authorities. If this novel were published-his fate would be sealed.

He realized he was signing his own death warrant with the publication of Noli Me Tangere.

It started snowing a few days before Christmas. The streets were covered with a white mantle. People thronged the sidewalks, bustling with activity, on shopping errands. He was not invited to a German home that Christmas because his

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

acquaintances did not have any children, and it was the custom there for families to gather around the Yule log only when children were present. He was reminded of Christmas Eve in Kalamba with his folks: supper at midnight followed by the children's visit to the miniature Belen or manger where the Holy Child lay in swaddling clothes. However, on New Year's Eve, he went to the home of a friend, a former aide-de-camp to General Von Moltke. They drank beer, sang old German songs, and waltzed around the room. In appreciation, Rizal presented his host with a pair of Chinese porcelain vases which he had himself decorated with an allegorical painting of the new and the old years.

To Viola's insistent offer to advance the money needed for the printing of the book, Rizal capitulated. He was sad because he had not received news from home for some weeks.

He was also tired of eating heavy German food, and longed for a change in diet. As the long winter months dragged on, he became anxious to leave Berlin because his health failed to improve. Despite his brother's opposition, he was also determined to start on his homeward journey as soon as the Noli was published.

He assisted at the clinic of Dr. Weker, a German opthalmologist, and attended lectures at the university whenever he could. He continued with his studies of the German language, and methodically memorized five new words every evening, a few minutes before going to sleep, in the belief that in a year he would master the difficult Teutonic idiom. He tutored Viola in German twice a week, partly to repay the latter's generosity.

Carrying a letter of introduction from Blumentritt, Rizal became acquainted with F.=Jagnr. author of an analytical book on travel through the Islands, who had predicted that the archi~ pelago would sooner or later fall under the sovereignty qÂŁ the United States.- 0 merica. Jagor took him to the monthly

HONOR IN BERLIN

109

dinner meeting of the Ethnographical Society, where he met an elderly, distinguished-looking scholar with a spade beard.

"Dr. Rudolf Virchow," introduced Jagor. Rizal thrilled at meeting such a famous scientist, one who had made a study of the Islands. Dr. Virchow peered through his thick, goldrimmed spectacles at the young Malay and jokingly remarked: "I want to study you-ethnographically, of course." ((Ja~ herr professor/) was Rizal's quick reply, "for the love of science I shall submit to your analysis, and I promise to show you another specimen later, if you will allow me." Jose was referring to Viola.

The great Virchow laughed. He liked this young man's sense of humor, and made him sit in the adjoining chair during the dinner which lasted until after midnight. Eventually, through the influence of these two good friends, Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, and later of the Ethnographical Society, where he delivered, at Virchow's request, a learned discourse on Tagalog metrical arrangements as compared with those of the European languages.

The pro<;>fs of his novel poured in with regularity, and much time was spent in checking up mistakes, for the typesetters knew little or no Spanish. The much-a.elayed remittance from Kalamba arrived and he paid Viola in full. He tried to stay up late at night, but gave it up. He found he was nearing the end of his endurance. His fever rose in the evenings, and he would sweat much. He wanted to leave immediately for Italy, but Viola insisted that they wait for the publication of the novel. The Malayan urge to travel, wanderungslust the Germans call it, was strong In his blood and he wanted to be off again like a bird which has been in a cage too long.

At last, towards the middle of March, the first copy of his novel was off the press! Tenderly, like the anxious parent of a new-born child, he sent copies to friends and enemies alike in Manila. He sent a copy to Blumentritt with these words:

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"This is the first impartial and daring book on the life of the Tagalogs. Filipinos will find in it their history during the past decade. I hope you will notice how different my descriptions are from those of other writers. The government and the friars will probably fight the book, that is they will attack it, but I confide in God and the truth and in the people who have seen our sufferings at close range. Here I reply to all that has been written about us and to the insults they have heaped upon us. " Viola raved about the book. Jose had presented him with â&#x20AC;˘ the final page proofs and the first copy off the press as a token of gratitude, but doubted his powers of literary criticism.

Viola was a good physician, but he was not a literary critic. As a bosom friend he would naturally praise everything Rizal did or wrote. His confidence was not restored until Blumentritt wrote: "Your work, as we Germans say, has been written with blood from the heart, and because of that the heart also speaks.

I already knew you were a man of extraordinary talent. .. but your work has exceeded my hopes. .. If you continue thus, you could become to your country one of those great men who exercise a determining¡ influence on the development of its spiritual life. With greater impatience than ever before, I am waiting for the moment to meet you personally."

Reports of dissension among the paisanos in Spain filtered through in the letters of friends from Madrid and Barcelona.

Bickering and petty jealousies disrupted the unity Rizal had so painstakingly created a few years ago. Pedro Paterno had given himself airs, assuming the "refined" title of Magino6.

Lete thought he could fill Rizal's shoes and began editing a weekly called Espana en Filipinas. Julio Llorente and Ceferino de Leon had a trivial misunderstanding, and almost fought a duel. A few ardent patriots, including Graciano Lopez Jaena of Iloilo, writhed under the inane policies of the newly established review, and sighed for Rizal's dynamic leadership. The colony was split on the racial angle. Instead of considering

READY TO TRAVEL

III

themselves solely as Filipinos, regardless of the complexion of their skin, they fell apart into three groups: the indios~ the mestizos~ and the kastilas. Blumentritt heard something about this and questioned Rizal, who tried his best to convince his friend that there was little truth in the report.

Rizal began to feel that a peaceful emancipation of his country from Spain would always remain a dream. The desired separation would never come. Spain, he believed, would never learn from the lesson that South America had given her; she would always remain blind to what England had learned from the United States. Under the present circumstances, Rizal did not want a separation from Spain: all he asked "for was a reform in the administration-more schools, a greater number of honest government employees, a check on friar abuses, and one or two representatives in the Spanish Cortes.

Certainly, these demands were moderate and extremely reasonable. Spain could always win over Filipinos by being fairminded. But ... quos vult perdere Jupiter~ prius dementat!whom Jupiter would destroy, he first makes mad.

The blustering month of March ended like the proverbial lamb, and by April the lime and chestnut trees on U nter der Linden Strasse began to send out green buds. The temperature gradually rose. Spring had come. In a few more weeks the weather would be suitable for travel-the spring rains would be over. Methodically, Rizal toured the great city and its suburbs, reaching places never visited by the great majority of its inhabitants. The exercise restored his failing health to some extent. He always carried a pedometer on these walks, and imitating Japanese military students, he assiduously pored over plans of fortifications and strategy.

Rizal and Viola planned to start on their tour on May 13, after Holy Week. Rizal was firm in his desire to return to the Philippines, especially when he learned that his aged father had finally forgiven him for having left home without permission.

There was Leonor. .. what changes had the years wrought in

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

her? He was anxious to return, but at the same time he was loath to leave. Germany was a great nation-Virchow, Jagor, and others were so amiable. .. Viola pleaded with him not to return to the Islands, seconding Paciano's suggestion that Jose reside in Hongkong. Luna and Regidor were also convinced it would be dangerous for him to go back. It would be like bearding the lion in his den. But Rizal was determined. He had a mission to fulfill. As a physician, he had studied how to prevent or cure physical ills; in a similar way, he felt that he wanted to consecrate his life to remedying the moral defects of Filipino society under the Spanish flag. It was true he had written a book exposing the cancer poisoning that system, but he doubted if his countrymen would respond unless he person,ally set the "exampie by going home.

"But they will shoot you!" warned Viola .

"Perhaps," smiled Rizal, "but at least I shall die like the humble ant-fighting!" " A small valise, crammed with nothing but letters addressed to Rizal and tied in neat little bundles, caught Viola's eye.

Many of them were unimportant or trivial. The letters bore postmarks from all parts of the world.

"Oh," replied Rizal, ''I'm keeping them to study the character, temperament, changes, and intellectual tendencies among my relatives, friends, and countrymen." " First they visited Potsdam, the village fashioned by Frederick the Great who, in admiration for French art and literature, created a second Sans-Souci and imported Voltaire to keep him company in it. They paused at Dresden, which Viola had not seen, then sped south directly to Bohemia.

Blumentritt was at the station to meet them. Rizal had forwarded a pencil sketch of himself for identification purposes. Blumentritt typified Bohemian hospitality and showered the two Filipinos with attention. He took them back to their hotel every evening and in the mornings he was always on hand to show them around. When other duties prevented

BLUMENTRIT1" S THREE CHILDREN

(Courtesy Trinidad Rizal)

Ferdinand Blumentritt's three children, Conrado, Loleng and Fritz Alfonso, are pictured above. This portrait was taken in 1890 and sent to Rizal with a dedication from the Bohemian professor.

"

VISITING BLUMENTRITT

113

the good professor from taking them around, his friends, Drs. Klutschack and Czepelack, took his place. The two travelers felt thoroughly at home and stayed for a week.

One afternoon Blumentritt took them to a rathskeller where the best Bohemian beer was served. Rizal did not care for the taste of liquor, and only drank beer or wine, in order not to offend his host. A meeting of the leading townspeople was in progress, for the purpose of asking the railroad company to extend a line to the town. The travelers were introduced to the president, who welcomed them and expressed the hope that in the not distant future, once the line was established, more tourists from the Philippines would visit the town. Rizal rose and delivered a short extemporaneous speech which was heartily applauded by the audience. They admired the way the young Malay haa mastered German in less than one year.

"Germans themselves have great difficulty in talking extemporaneously," exclaimed Blumel1Jtritt, embracing his friend.

"I knew, from your letters, you had already mastered our language, but I never dreamt you could improvise a speech with that facility."

Rizal was loath to leave Leitzmeritz. In Blumentritt, he found an intellectual kin he had not come across in any other man. The professor and he agreed on many fundamental topics, but differed sufficiently in other things to make their relationship stimulating. He felt that Blumentritt was an older ' brother, less ironic perhaps than Paciano, whose affection and sincerity were beyond question.

The Blumentritts were at the station to bid Rizal and Viola goodbye. Frau Blumentritt was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, while the good professor winked behind his spectacles to keep back the tears. Rizal was deeply moved, but his tears had all been used up in sorrowing for his country.

The daughter of the Blumentritts, little Dora, with her golden curls and blue eyes, kept waving at them. She reminded him a great deal of Dickens' little heroine. As the train pulled out of the station, Rizal had a dark foreboding: was this magnificent

THE GREAT MALAYAN farewell to Europe the forerunner of a terrible reception III the Philippines? In his life, happiness had always been followed by misfortune; and the greater the former, so also the latter. He felt happy when good friends surrounded him, but felt sad whenever he was alone. Doubts and confused thoughts overwhelmed him, and at those moments he felt as if he had lost something precious, or good fortune had deserted him. He shrugged with the fatalism of a Malay. A powerful attraction which he could not analyze drew him on irresistibly towards his native land.

Brunn ... then gay Vienna ... with Schonbrunn, the home of the Hapsburgs. He felt very tired. Their trip had been strenuous. They had followed a stiff schedule. In spite of staying up late at night, poring over Baedeker's guidebook in the English edition, Rizal was up at dawn each morning, studying the places to be visited and memorizing the streets they had to pass through. He noted down the hour each museum or art gallery opened in order to save time. After learning everything there was to learn, he took his breakfast-a glass of water. Then the two friends would start sightseeing, and at noon would stop in some restaurant for lunch. At noon Rizal always ate twice as much as Viola. Between each mouthful, he would read from some book, or the local newspaper. Knowing his friend's habits, Viola did not complain, although at times he believed he had never come across a more methodical or taciturn man in his life.

The afternoons were spent in the same manner. They usually stayed out until seven or eight o'clock in the evening, for it was summer and the days were long. Rizal always took a different route back to their hotel, such that if the streets they had roamed through were traced on a map at the end of their visit, the lines would resemble the geometric pattern of a spider's web. In the eyening, instead of resting, Rizal spent his time reading newspapers, studying the guidebook, or attending a concert, a play, or some other entertainment. His

SWITZERLAND bnly hobby as a tourist was to pick leaves or flowers of some rare or historical tree or plant and keep them in a notebook he carried for that purpose. ' , They left Vienna on May 25, and proceeded west to Linz and M iinchen, where they drank much beer in the famous beer gardens of that city. Then they went to N urnberg, with its medieval walls that reminded Jose of Intramuros, Stuttgart, Lindau in Switzerland, Konstantz, Schaffhausen, and Basel, where letters from home were awaiting them. In picturesque Geneva, where the blue surface of the lake reflected the snow-tipped Alps, the two friends parted on June 20.

Rizal's heart was filled with bitterness at the thought of leaving Europe, where a man could breathe freedom even in the air. His sojourn in France and Germany had given him an entire,ly new perspective on life. As the day of departure drew nearer, he trembled at the thought of what he should find in the Philippines. Word from home reached him about his novel. The rector of the University of Santo Tomas headed the censorship committee which promptly found his book subversive as well as impious. The Noli was immediately banned from the country. Friends in 'Spain and Manila lost no time in successfully smuggling copies through the customs, copies which commanded high prices, for they were surreptitiously bought and eagerly read by Filipinos who thrilled at the courage of the author in exposing the evils in their country.

Rumors of an uprising began to be whispered around.

"I assure you I have no desire to take part in movements which seem to me premature and risky," wrote Rizal, however, on his twenty-sixth birthday, to Blumentritt from Geneva. "But if the government obliges us to do so-that is, when there is no other hope except to seek our fate in war, when Filipinos prefer to die rather than live longer in misery -then I shall do likewise. In the hands of Spain lies the choice between peace and war, because as is universally known we are a patient people, so tranquil and docile. .. But all \.

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things come to an end, there is nothing eternal in this world, even our patience. . . You may be sure that I wish for the happiness of my country, and as long as I believe the evil is to be found only in the Spanish governmental system, I shall fight all plans against Spain itself."

Rome, sacred city of the Popes and the Caesars, enticed him. He was disappointed when he learned that the vessel which was to take him to Singapore, the same Djemnah which brought him to Europe five years ago, would not call at Naples, where he had planned to take it. Fortunately, a timely remittance from home allowed him to indulge in a trip to Italy and repay Luna and Felipe Roxas the money they had advanced for the homeward passage. On June 2 I st he left Switzerland for Italy, -and passed through Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence before reaching the capital.

From Rome Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: Caro amigo: I am writing these few lines tonight (June 27) so that you can see I have not forgotten you. I am in Romel That is my excuse: I have walked all day despite the heat, because Rome is well worth a headache.

I cannot describe the impression Rome has produced on me; I can only say that my feet are swollen and blistered, but tomorrow I shall go forth anew on foot the better to see the ruins. I am in Rome. All I step on is the dust of heroes. Here I breathe the same air which Roman heroes have breathed. I salute reverently each statue and to me, humble resident of a small island, it seems that I am in a sanctuary. I have already visited the Capitolium, the Tarpeian Rock, the Palatinum, the Forum Romanorum, the Amphitheatre, etc. Everything here is glorious, except the cafes and the cafes chantants, where I do not go because here I loathe listening to French songs or seeing modern industries.

My favorite spots are the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. There I remain seated for hours, contemplating everything and recreating life to the ruins. Until 8 o'clock this evening I stayed in the Forum. I was alone contemplating the spot, and it had grown dark. I have also visited some churches

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

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and museums, like the Capitoline Museum and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is also glorious. Here in Rome the word glorious is inadequate. I am herewith sending you a flower taken from the Palatinum in the Palace of Septimius Severus. I want to stay here until the last minute-I shall forego visiting other cities.

I am sorry I have already bought my ticket. If I had a year's time, I would spend the whole year in this place. I hear Italian and German spoken because there are many Germans here; although both languages sound well to my ears, I would prefer to hear nothing, neither to see modern clothes nor modern hats or trousers, because it seems miserable to see them after beholding the ruins. The Popes who had always seemed to me small and ridiculous now appear greater after seeing their churches and palaces. Ancient Rome attracts me . tremendously and I regret having spent fifteen days in' Geneva.

Reluctantly, he left Rome on a train for Marseilles. An aged Italian priest, traveling on the same coach, treated him as if he were an old friend. An American couple got into the same compartment and opened a conversation with him. It was the first time he had met Americans, and their friendliness disposed him favorably towards members of that nation.

The husband was a banker who spoke German, French, and a little Italian. Sizing him up covertly, Rizal thought he was not beyond the common run of tourists. But the wifeah, she was different. She was about 35, with blue eyes, a sweet and noble look in her face, and a smile that reminded him of the ancient Christian virgins. She spoke only English, which he spoke readily, and it never occurred to him that this might have been the reason for her amiability, for traveling in a foreign country without knowledge of its language is extremely tedious. They invited Rizal several times to eat or drink with them, for they were aboard an express train and had to eat in their compartment. She was pleased when Rizal finally accepted, and sent her husband to buy oranges, other fruit, and delicacies. When the train stopped at a station

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on the way and Rizal wanted to buy something to eat, she stopped him and graciously forced him to partake of the things in their lunch basket. For dessert, she offered him a piece of chocolate.

The express train passed the frontier into France and halted briefly at Monaco, where the Americans got off.

"Goodbye!" exclaimed Rizal. "It will be hard for us to see each other again!"

The couple waved路 their hands in a chorus of farewells, but she quickly added: "Who knows-I hope we shall see you again!"

Rizal was genuinely sorry to see them go. He always felt sad when parting from persons who were not selfish or prejudiced. Their friendly attitude enhanced his self-esteem.

He felt like a child of fortune-was it because he was still in Europe? A second later, anonher disturbing thought pricked his happiness: what reason had he for feeling so lucky? He was not rich or handsome and, in the words of Goethe, he would return home without a fanfare of bells ...

Blumentritt, among the scores of friends he had in Europe,. was the only one who understood him completely, even to reading his most intimate thoughts. In this Rizal was something of a German, for Germans believed they had transparent breasts for the world to see what lay in their hearts. The ancient Greeks considered a good friend as the best gift of the gods. Jose felt he had been similarly blessed with Blumentritt, and this thought comforted him on his lonely journey to the land of his birth, knowing not what fate had in store for him there.

CHAPTER VIII N the fifth day from Saigon, the Haiphong entered Manila Bay late in the afternoon. The sun was disappearing behind the Mariveles mountains in a blaze of tropical glory: the serrated edges were rimmed with gold. Stray clouds tinted with crimsoD;, yellow, and silver, drifted lazily across the blue sky.

O

Rizal had disembarked in French Indo-China and taken the Haiphong for :Manila. In the brief twilight, he anxiously scanned the distant city. The skyline of Manila had not changed during his six years of absence. How would he find his beloved parents, brother, sisters, friends-and Leonor?

And the authorities-well, he had been fully warned about the danger of his return. He shi ered slightly, remembering the dream he had had a few nights ago. He had dreamt that his father had met him, and the old man looked pale and thinner than ev~r. Advancing to embrace him, the older man had stepped back and pointed to an object on the floor. Jose beheld a huge serpent which moved towards him. He' had awakened, sweating profusely. Was the dream a symbol of what he could expect in his native land? I shall see, he thought, if.J can laugh once more at my dreams.

The Haiphong dropped anchor at the mouth of the river at 9 o'clock in the evening of August 5. For nearly two hours, Spanish customs officials puttered around before letting the passengers land. He spent the next two days visiting friends and renewing acquaintances in the city. News about Leonor made him both happy and sad; Cecilio and others assured him that Leonor was in love with him, but her parents had lately looked upon his suit with disfavor. He was tempted to go north to Lingayen to find out, but his filial duty was even stronger and drew him toward Kalamba without further delay.

119

120

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The Bakal) an old steamboat owned by Capitan Luis Yangco, which plied regularly from Manila to the larger towns on the shores of Laguna de Bay, took him to Kalamba.

The passengers aboard proved more interesting than the scene along the river. The old landmarks were still there-Malacanan Palace, the ruins of San Nicolas, Malapad na Bato) which legend claims was a crocodile turned into stone through the aid of San Nicolas, the Grotto of San Geronimo, the numerous naked children bathing, and women washing endless piles of white clothes-these had not changed. The first-class passengers, two young men both students, a couple of girls, and a painted, hardened-looking woman, rode on the top deck. Down below, a ragged troupe of itinerant actors of various complexions made. merry with loud quips and much bantering. They were Suzara's zarzuela players. He smiled inwardly, joining their merriment. The fusion of races, he thought, would start in the theater because on the stage races mixed with equal facility. He abandoned this train of thought when he dwelt on what the Spanish government might do to such a practice. No, this camaraderie was too democratic-it was disadvantageous to the policy of colonization pursued by the Spaniards.

Kalamba appeared much the same as ever. After visiting the great cities of Europe, the place seemed desolate and infinitesimal, but his heart leaped just the same, for it was home -at last! The welcome he received from his family was full of affection-the women weeping with joy, his father and Paciano silent with emotion. His mother was completely blind, but before the end of that month he operated on her successfully-so that, in a measure, he repaid his aged parents for their sacrifice in sending him abroad.

His life at home, however, was not fated to remain peaceful. True, he had been able to land on his native soil without a squad of carabineers to meet him, and if the civil authorities had their way, he would have been left undisturbed. A

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liberal government was in power in Madrid; Sagasta was President, and Balaguer was Minister of Ultramar. A liberal Governor-General, Don Emilio Terrero y Perinat, was residing in Malacafian Palace. But the friars, whom he had pilloried in his Noli~ would give him no peace and continuously hounded the civil authorities to take drastic action against this recently returned agitator and heretic. Past masters in intrigue, they circulated lies on the theory that some of them would stick to besmirch the character of their enemy. Almost daily, in some form or other, the Governor-General was bombarded with complaints against Rizal.

Governor Terrero summoned him to the Palace, and for the second time in his life Rizal entered the spacious grounds of the traditional residence of the chief executives of the Islands. Terrero was courteous, in fact amiable, for he had called Rizal just to pacify the clamor of the friars.

"You have written a novel which has caused much comment," he said, after the usual preliminaries of polite society.

"They tell me that there are subversive ideas in it. I'd like to read it."

"General," replied Rizal, "I have the intention of sending your Excellency and the Archbishop copies of the book as soon as I get them from Europe. I have only one copy, and that I gave to a friend. If your Excellency allows me, I shall look for one."

"Not only do I permit you, but I require you to do so," said the governor, concluding the interview.

Rizal went to the Ateneo, where he knew a copy of his Noli was being kept by the Jesuits. But his former teachers refused to part with it, and Rizal was forced to take a soiled copy, obtained from one of his friends, to the Governor.

Terrero cordially greeted him for the second time, and inquired if Rizal planned to return to Kalamba.

The governor's inquiry resulted in the appointment of a young lieutenant of the civil guard, Jose Taviel de Andrada,

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ostensibly to gua~d Rizal's person from any harm but in reality to keep tab on his activities. The Spanish community in Kalamba and Manila regarded Rizal with great distrust and suspicion: they took him for a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a wizard, a soul half-condemned to hell -just a step short of being Satan in person. The guardia civil in Kalamba firmly believed in all these things, and whispered them into the ears of the higher authorities. The corporal of the guard, a loutish Madrilefio, claimed Rizal had a foreign passport and indulged in midnight excursions for wicked purposes.

As a mark of respect, Rizal paid a call on his former teachers in Intramuros. The rector, Padre Ramon, was there and also his former teachers, including Padre Faura, the renowned meteorologist. They were glad to see their former pupil, who had brought luster to their institution, but were apprehensive over his reported deviation from the narrow path of orthodox Catholicism. The visit developed into a heated polemical discussion. The conversation turned on the Noli.

"You 4ave not written a novel," said Padre Faura. "The book has nothing of the novel-you have described the sad conditions of our time."

Rizal smiled. Just because he had written the truth, the bitter truth, his book was bad! Oh, well, at least the Jesuits were better literary critics than the friars.

Accused of being behind the times in the Noli} Padre Faura hotly replied that the Jesuits were in the vanguard of progress. Rizal remembered the answer of philosopher Tasio in his book. Compared to the Dominicans, for example, the Jesuits were certainly progressive, but"That cannot be," Jose pointed out, "because you cannot accept the liberal principles of progress, such as freedom of the press, liberty of thought, and freedom of religious worship."

ATENEO AGAIN

12 3

Padre Faura was silent for a second. "But in the Society of Jesus there are many wise men versed in science."

"Perhaps that is so, but let me call your attention to the fact that science alone is not progress-it is merely a part, it forms only the beginning, of progress."

It was plain Padre Faura was getting impatient. Padre Bech joined the discussion. The good priest warned his former pupil of the danger of eternal damnation. If not hell, then at least purgatory-but how could one very well threaten hell fire when even the existence of purgatory was questioned?

At first, he talked about purgatory from the philosophical point of view, but soon reverted to canonical pronouncements. ''I'm afraid we cannot continue this discussion," Rizal finally said. "Because, for a Catholic, all what the Pope says is the absolute trutn and the final words of each Pope pass into ultimate and greater truths."

Their former pup,il was obviously having the best of the argument.

"Enough!" exclaimed Padre Faura in disgust, after an hour and a half. "It is useless to discuss religious matters with you because you have lost the precious treasure of faith. It would be better for you not to come here again, and I am warning you-if you do not leave the Philippines, I am afraid you will come to an end on the scaffold!"

Rizal left. At the huge double-leafed gates, he tarried a minute as the lay brother showed him the wooden carving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he had made many years ago while a student in the Ateneo.

"Bygone days, brother, days which have passed," Rizal remarked. "Because, now, I no longer believe in those things!"

The friars resented his attacks on the Catholic religion.

Well, why shouldn't he attack religion when they used it to cloak their evil designs? Since the friars used religion not only as a shield but also as a weapon, a castle, and a fortress,

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he felt obliged to attack their religion in order to reach the enemy hiding behind it. If the Trojans had placed a huge statue of Pallas Athena on their walls, he was sure the Greeks would have attacked Athena as well. God, he felt, should not be utilized as a protective shield for abuses. Religion should not be used for that end. If the friars really possessed great respect for their religion, they would neither use its sacred name so frequently nor expose it in precarious situations. What was actually transpiring in the Islands filled him with horror. Why shouldn't he fight that religion with all his strength when it was the chief cause of all his people's sufferings and tears? Responsibility fell on those who abused its name. Christ himself acted in a similar way towards the religion which the Pharisees had abused so much in His country.

Though most of his former professors looked on him as an outcast, Padre Sanchez did not. He publicly defended Rizal's views and even praised the Noli. He held an affectionate rega~d for Jose which could not be stifled by religious considerations, and inwardly he was proud that his star pupil in rhetoric and composition had written a book that was causing comment as no other book had ever done before in all the history of the Philippines.

"You would have done better if you had written an ideal book," he advised Jose later, in private; "a book in which you could present an ideal scene of ideal priests, and in this way you could have shown by contrast present conditions." ''I'm not writing for those of the public who think," countered Rizal, "but for those who do not think. There are so many books which describe ideal clergymen and which are used by bad priests to cloak their wolfish bodies with a sheep's skin. I want to awaken my countrymen from their profound lethargy. He who wants to do so does not make use of gentle sounds, but resorts to blows and explosions."

"Don't you fear the consequences of your audacity?"

MEDICAL PRACTICE

12 5

"Father, you are a missionary; when you go on a mission are you not afraid of the consequences of its fulfillment?'"

"Oh, that's entirely different-" "Not in the least. Your mission is to baptize pagam.

Mine consists in making man dignified."

Jose kept close to his home town, in the bosom of his family. The elder Rizal guarded his youngest son with the care of a jealous hen over her chick. He never allowed Jose to leave the house without some member of the family as a companion. The aged father trembled for the life of his son, whom he did not allow to eat outside for fear that the food might be poisoned. To keep himself occupied, Jose began attending to the country folks who came to the house for treatment.

His fame as a physician rapidly spread around the countryside. Here was a graduate of the best medical institutions in Europe who was willing to tt:eat the poor free of charge!

As a result, the Rizal household was always well provided with chickens, fruit, eggs and other farm produce, offerings of grateful peasants who had been cured of their maladies. He became known as the "Doctor Uliman", a Tagalog corruption of the Spanish word for German. Among them, Rizal assumed legendary proportions and tales of his miraculous cures were whispered around. Once, a tao stood outside the Mercado home, undecided whether or not to come in. Rizal saw him and asked him to come up.

"I want to see, sir, the Doctor Uliman," said the peasant.

Rizal revealed that he was not an uliman although that was the name they called him. ((Susmariosep!" exclaimed the surprised tao) crossing himself. "So it's only you-thank you very much, sir-don't bother."

The visitor left hurriedly, disillusioned to find that the famous "Doctor Uliman" was not a huge German with a long

THE GREAT MALAYAN beard and gold spectacles, but only a young man of his own race and color.

Rizal's visits to Manila became more infreque,n t as the weeks passed. Many of his former friends avoided him. Certain so-called educated persons of standing in the community, inspired 1;>y envy and self-protection, spread false news about him. Jose closed his eyes and ears to these lies and stuck closely to his duty. He purposely did not visit Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, who was then in Manila working for the government. "I do not wish to blacken his white gloves with my hands soiled by writing novels," Rizal wrote to Blumentritt.

"These things happen in my country, but in our hearts we remain friends."

Good friends, like Fernando Canon, however, disregarded the unofficial interdiction by visiting Rizal in Kalamba. The elder Canon was appl\ehensive over the results of their visit, but Fernando placed frienxlship above any possible reprisals. a suspicious government might inflict on him. Rizal welcomed the Canons heartily.

"You're the first among our classmates in the Ateneo to visit me here in Kalamba," exclaimed Jose.

"The others have done well in not coming because they fear to visit your tomb," responded the elder Canon, rather gruffly.

"Don't be afraid, father," said Fernando, "Those days are past."

Rizal's face became solemn. "Nobody can tell whether vengeance will fall on me alone or on many, and that's why I appreciate more the visit of Fernandito." Jose once more clasped the hands of the younger Canon. Fernando gave him a toilette kit as a gift.

"Where's the dedication?" asked Rizal.

"There it is, inside."

"No," interrupted the elder Canon, "You won't find 째it there because I tore it off. I do not want my son to die on

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the scaffold or by torture. Rizal, why don't you go back to a foreign country-it'll go hard with you here."

"Yes," added Fernando, "leave soon, and everything will be for the best ... " "Perhaps I shall make some money and leave," said Rizal sadly. "Then I shall publish seven volumes, and if these do not awaken the Philippines, I shall shoot myself ... " The elder Canon rose to leave. "Come, son, let us go.

Will you, too, leave soon. .. for Europe?"

"Yes, father. There, Rizal and I shall see each other."

"See here, Fernando," advised Rizal, "you'd better spend at least seven months with your father. .. and later, we shall see each other abroad. Never cease to help me. In Manila, 's erenade with your guitar and in that way perhaps you can tame the wild beasts ... " Fernando was taking guitar lessons, masquerading as the returned prodigal son with nothing to occupy his time Qut music, wine, and women, although secretly he was instrumental in distributing copies of the Noli to friends and sympathizers.

The Canons left. On the street Fernando saw tears glistening in the eyes of his father.

"What is the matter, father?"

"Son, Rizal is a good man, learned and brave-but they will execute himl" Rizal organized a gymnasium class among the men of Kalamba and devised games for them to play. In addition to benefiting them physically, the games diverted their attention from vices such as gambling and cock-fighting. In the early mornings, Jose organized parties for a walk to the lecheria a 'little green hill a kilometer southeast of the town, where the local milkmen pastured their water buffaloes. They carried with them puto bibingkd cuchintd, and other native foodstuffs.

Jose usually led the group to the hill. He was fond of such tropical mornings, when the grass was still soaked with dew J

J

J

THE GREAT MALAYAN and the leaves of the trees glistened like platinum in the early rays of the sun, while the birds chirped a greeting to the new day.

He sent Blumentritt a unique bamboo lighter, based on the compressed air principle, some native cigarettes which he knew the professor liked, sampaguita, cinnamon and kamu路ning flowers, and a gold coin, that was part of the hoard found by some townspeople in an earthen jar. These coins, Rizal believed, were used by the ancient Tagalogs and buried in some graveyard with the dead.

To amuse himself, he started translating the German poet von Wildenrath into Tagalog. Sometimes he went on excursions to Los Bafios and l\10unt Makiling accompanied by his ever-present "bodyguard," Taviel de Andrada. This Taviel de Andrada, Rizal found, was not such a bad fellow after all. The officer belonged to the Spanish nobility, was well educated, and spoke ~oth French and English. Their forced companionship ripened into friendship based on JIlutual respect. Later, the lieutenant admitted to Rizal that he hated the guardia civil. Taviel de Andrada was reported to have once told his superior, "You told me that I would form part of a decent institution, but now I see I have to live with banditsl" Disquieting news about Leonor Rivera reached him. Her parents had been poisoning her mind against him. Tia Betang had decided that her son-in-law should not be Jose. Yes, Jose was a likely catch for any girl ... a doctor educated in Europe and all that-if only he were not a filibustero. Now, if Jose were only a dear friend of the clergy. .. She had vivid visions of midnight searches, guardia civiles with gleaming bayonets, deportations and persecutions. Her maternal love made her disregard her daughter's feelings in the interests of self-preservation. Parental authority in the Philippines at that time was second only to that of the Church, and if she insisted long 'enough she was certain Leonor would give

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up her "girlish notions" about Rizal. Tio Antonio fell in with his wife's plans, consoling himself with the thought ' that if they broke up the romance, at least it would save Rizal for his country. A married man, Tio Antonio reasoned out, would become more conservative and less nationalistic for the sake of his wife and children. And the country badly needed a man with the courage of Rizal. The Riveras never imagined that their interference would break the heart of their only child.

Rizal wanted to pay Leonor a visit in Lingayen, but his parents objected. Were they afraid that some enemy might seize the opportunity to harm their son once he left the 'parental roof? Or, since the Riveras had shown their attitude so plainly, were the elder Rizals too proud to let their son go a- begging for a slip of a girl like Leonor? Or, did they also believe that Jose should not get married in order to carry out the patriotic mission he had espoused?

"I could and should go to Pangasinan," Rizal a year and half later explained to his younger sister Soledad, " because I had a formal engagement and because this was one of my most cherished desires for many years. Well, in spite of this desire which I had nurtured for so long and which I even yet cherish, the opposition of our parents was enough for me to sacrifice all my feelings. I wanted to go to Bacolor, but they were opposed, so I surrendered and obeyed. Nevertheless from my disobedience there would have resulted not the least dishonor. Leonor has done the same as I: even when she wanted to go and could have gone to Manila with her father to visit her nephews, a word of opposition from him was enough to stop her; and frankly, if she had insisted and I had known about it, I certainly would not have gone to see her."

So near, and yet farther than ever! He felt very low and depressed.

The letters of Blumentritt cheered him up, though. He read them aloud to his family, translating them from the

THE GREAT MALAYAN German. The numerous children of his sisters usually sat on the polished floor to hear him read, for the arrival of such letters was cause for a family gathering.

"How old is the professor, his wife and their children?" they asked him time and again. Jose showed them p,ictures of the Blumentritts, and of little Dora with blond hair loose on her shoulders.

"She's an Uliman/' exclaimed the children in Tagalog.

"Can she speak German in spite of its being very di.fficult?"

"Yes, the way you speak Tagalog," he explained.

The children gazed long at the face of the Bohemian professor. "Aren't you afraid, uncle, of his long beard-it seems to make him so terrible and huge!"

Jose laughed. Only Spaniards-usually Franciscan friars -wore beards in the Islands, and Kalamba was under the Dominican fold.

Discouraged by the lack of response to his patriotic appeals among the so-called "leading" Filipinos, heart-sick over Leonor, and annoyed by the official surveillance, Rizal wanted to leave the Islands after a month's visit. However, late in September, his elder sister Olympia died in childbirth, delaying his departure until at least the following year. The family held a pasiam, a funeral wake, and on nine successive days prayers were said for the soul of the deceased. Rizal was touched by the innocence of t~ motherless little children.

"Tomorrow, mother will return," they told Tio Jose.

"God will cure her."

So he took them to the cemetery to visit the tomb.

"Come, mother dear," the children cried. "Let's go home now and you'll see how soon you'll get cured."

Rizal swallowed a growing lump in his throat. Such blind faith-it was sublime! If, he thought, there exists a soul that hears and feels, the departed mother would have heard the innocent voices of her children. !-ler death, he felt, was the-

FRIAR LAND TROUBLE will of God and must have been for the best, for inscrutable ~deed are the ways of Providense and Destiny.

By December he had saved more than $900 from the fees he had collected as a physician. He was anxious to leave, but this time he did not want to take a single centavo from his family. They had made enough sacrifices for him, and it was high time for him to shift for himself. Everybody in the Islands wanted him to leave: the friars wanted neither to hear nor see him; government employees avoided him; and the Fili'pinos feared for him and for themselves--consequently, he would return to Europe!

His departure was hastened by his participation in the friar lands controversy. Motivated by liberal ideals, Governor Terrero proceeded to investigate existing tax inequalities.

The municipality 'of Kalamba was asked to state its relationship to the Dominican hacienda which lay claim to almost the entire region west of Laguna de Bay. The townspeople naturally turned for leadership to Rizal, who seized the opportunity to state clearly the land grievances of his family and neighbors. Not only was the title of ownership of the friar lands doubtful, but the Dominicans had dealt harshly during the last few years with impoverished tenants who had reached the point of desperation.

Similar conditions prevailed in other provinces where the friar corporations leased land to native tenants. Trouble arose wherever the tenants were brave enough to risk the anger of the Church by airing their grievances, as in Cavite and Bulacan.

Governor Terrero became aware he had stirred up a hornets' nest and promptly took refuge in folding his hands.

The lay-brother in charge of the Dominican estate in Kalamba threatened to raise the rentals or dispossess the tenants.

Seventy residents of the town in January, 1888, signed a second document asking for protection from the government against the infuriated friars-but in vain. "The

THE GREAT MALAYAN government was afraid to fight for the truth and abandoned the unfortunate town... Nothing-nothing was done! Of all this there remain only the retaliations upon the unfortunate town, the victim of its loyalty to the government and of its own good faith," commented Rizal.

No hope, therefore, lay in the liberal elements in the government. The forces of bigotry and reaction were too powerful. A disillusioned Rizal realized that no hope for reforms cou1d come from that quarter.

Meanwhile, influential clergymen buzzed around Malacanan demanding the imprisonment or exile of the ringleader who had dared oppose them. Astounded by the implications, economic and social, which had arisen from the Kalamba case, Terrero had little choice in the matter. He decided to follow a middle course, a happy solution which would appease the friars and yet cause no harm to Rizal. Quietly, he "advised" Rizal to leave the Islands as soon as possible.

On February 3, 1888, Rizal left for Hongkong, and from that British colony poured his heart out to Blumentritt: At last I can write freely. At last I can express my thoughts without fear of censorship from the 'chief!' They forced me to leave my country. Half sick I left the house.

Oh, dear Blumentritt, you have no idea of my minor odyssey. Without the aid of my friend, Lieutenant Taviel de Andrada, what would have become of mel Without the sympathies of the Governor-General, the directors of civil administration and civil government, I would now be in some dungeon.

All the provincials and the archbishop went daily to the Governor-General to complain against me. The Syndic of the Dominicans wrote a denunciation to the alcalde that at night they saw me hold secret meetings with men and women on top of a hill. It is true I went walking at dawn to a hill accompanied by many men, women, and children, for the purpose of enjoying the coolness of the morning, but always escorted by the lieutenant of the guardia civil who knows Tagalog. Who is the conspirator of secret sessions that will hold them in the open air among women and children? I allowed the accusation

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to reach the Governor-General so he could see what kind of enemies I have.

My countrymen offered me money to leave the Islands.

They asked me to do so not only for my own interest but also theirs, because I have many friends and acquaintanceS" 'whom they would have deported with me to Balabag or the Mariana Islands. Thus, half sick, I bade a hasty farewell to my family.

I am returning to Europe by way of Japan and the United States. We should see each other again. I have so much to tell you.

He tarried for a -fortnight in Hongkong, a small but clean and thriving commercial depot for British trade. There he visited with half a dozen paisanos~ exiles from the Philippines since that memorable year of 1872. Without a single exception, they were all poor and timid. Could these be the same men whom the Spanish government once feared? It seemed absurd to Rizal that they could ever have been embroiled in a plot against the government. Their spirits ' seemed broken and crushed under the years of exile. And to think that they were once rich business men and landowners! Rizal sadly noticed that not one of them would ever dare return to Manila to take up the struggle for the upliftment of their country-these exiles of '72 saw too many ghosts. Only Jose Maria Basa showed signs of falling in with his ideas.

Rizal spent much of his stay in Hongkong with Basa.

They visited Macao, the Portuguese colony up the Whampoa river, and attended Chinese plays which interested Rizal.

Then to Japan, where from Tokio he wrote Blumentritt: Here you have your friend, Rizal, the wonder of the J apanese, who has the face of a Japanese but does not speak Japanese. On the streets, when I go shopping, people look at me and badly educated children laugh because I speak such a strange language. In Tokio very few persons speak English but in Yokohama there are many. Some believe I am a Europeanized Japanese who does not want to be taken as such. This happens frequently in the Philippines with the mestizo Japanese.

134

THE GREAT MALAYAN The ancient dress of Japanese women is very pretty, but now they want to change it for uncomfortable European clothes, in spite of Japanese women being even smaller than Filipinos.

Thank God country women still wear their old-fashioned clothes. The rich who wear European clothes have a lamentable aspect. By all means Japanese women should wear European shoes and gaiters instead of the ugly and uncomfortable Japanese shoes; European gaiters could well be reconciled with Japanese clothes.

Japan is considered as a country without god-I don't know if this statement is justified. It would be interesting to study this point. There are very few thieves among Japanese.

It is said that the houses remain open, the walls are made of paper, and in the hotels one can safely leave money on the table. Japanese are happy-fights are not seen on the streetsand they are courteous. Their houses are clean; beggars are rarely seen; and the people are very industrious. What a difference is there between t:hem and the religious but superstitious Chinese! If I could stay here a couple of years, I would study all this, and I could do it with greater facility than a European because I have the aspect of a Japanese and here, as in the Philippines, there is not much confidence in the European.

Rizal felt keenly his inability to speak or understand Japanese. He began to study the language with his usual diligence, such that in a month he could hold a conversation in Japanese with a certain degree of fluency. He explored Tokio on foot, finding it more extensive even than Paris.

It hurt his sensitive soul to see coolies pulling rickshas like so many dumb brutes. He felt disgusted at the way a human being was employed like a horse. With Rousseau he shared the belief in the dignity of man, and his humanitarianism was in keeping with the leaders of social reform among the so-called more civilized races.

Nikko, Hakone, Miyinoshita... the charming villages of old Nippon ~ttracted him with their beauty, simplicity, and freshness. Japan was so unlike Europe, yet their historical background of feudalism was much the same. He was staying

Trinidad Rha/)

O-SEI-SAN Her loveliness tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan and she formed part of one of the most poetic interludes in his tragic life. To her he dedicated the final chapter of the memoirs of his youth.

FAREWELL TO JAPAN

135

at the Tokio Hotel, but after several days he moved to the Spanish legation quarters, partly because the Spanish author'ities, to keep an eye on him, decided to extend to him their hospitality, .

Friends, Japanese and Spanish alike, pressed him to remain longer in the land of the cherry blossoms. It was spring.

Up on the mountain tops, the snow had not yet melted,and Fujiyama was clothed in bridal white. The buds on the trees, heavy with sap long repressed by winter, burst forth under the warm April showers. The beauty of the spring entered into his lonely heart, and romance, from which he had resolutely turned away his face, permeated his entire being in one short but glorious moment. In a lyrical vein, he wrote in his diary: J1.pan has pleased me. The beautiful landscape, the flowers, trees and inhabitants-so peaceful, courteous and pleasant -O-Sei-San sayonara, sayonara!

I have spent a lovely gilded month; I do not know if I can have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, esteem, privileges-these have not been wanting.

To think that I am leaving this life for the unknown, the uncertain. There I was offered an easy way to live, be loved and esteemed . . . . .

To you I shall dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. No woman, like you, has made sacrifices. Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh without stri~ pmg 짜i~es orwt"illering-t~us you fell,:. Neither have you lo~ yo~r ~uri!y nor have the delicate petals of your innocence f~ ed--sayonara, sayonara!

THE GREAT l\fALAYAN freshness, its elegance. .. Ahl last descendant of a noble family, f';lithful to an unfortunate vengeance, you are lovely like ... everything has ended I Sayonara, Sayonara.

To tear himself away from Japan was not easy. The Japanese recognized his sterling qualities and tempted him with offers of employment, but he resolutely turned them down.

He evidently recognized his attachment for O-Sei Kiyo whom he affectionately called O-Sei-San as nothing more than an infatuation. If, while in Europe, he might not have been completely faithful to Leonor, yet he had not wished to bind himself for life to any other woman except Leonor, the quintessence of his dreams and ideals. Again, there was his beloved country. .. Should he forsake her in the midst of the battle for her deliverance? His studies, his sacrifices, the sacred mission he had undertaken-the faith his friends had reposed in him-were all these to be abandoned for a life of ease, honor, riches, and love on a soil foreign to him?

There could be only one answer. By the middle of April he was in mid-Pacific aboard a vessel bound for San Francisco.

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( CQurtesy TriJlidad Rizal)

MARIANO PONCE

With his close friends Rizal and del Pilar, he formed an intellectual triumvirate that fertilized he seedling of revolution planted by Padre Burgos in 1872 .

CHAPTER IX HEN Jose first left Manila in 1882, he was easily impressed by external things, by the novelty of the strange and the exotic. His critical powers were undeveloped.

N ow it was a different and more mature Rizal who crossed the American continent. In books he had read much of this new nation carved from the wilderness-"the land of the free and the home of the brave." His first impression of the United States was not favorable. .

The ship was placed under quarantine despite the fact that it had been given a clean bill of health by the Amer路 ican Consul and the British governor of Hongkong, and despite the fact that during the month of the voyage not a single case of sickness developed among the passengers. The vessel was quarantined simply because it carried 800 Chinese coolies. It was election time, and the city government, to gain the sympathy of the voters, made a fuss about preventing the landing of the celestials. The agitation against Chinese labor was at the time at its height on the Pacific Coast. Chinese had been imported to "work on the railroads, but now that the laying of the railroad tracks had been completed, the foreign element proved a drawback to white laborers who demanded relief from the competition of coolie labor. Nevertheless, later that same day, 700 bales of silk were unloaded from the ship without being fumigated.

After a week of enforced inactivity, the first-class passengers, including Rizal, were allowed to land. Second and thirdclass passengers, mostly Chinese and Japanese, remained under quarantine for an indefinite period. Democracy as a form of government was grand in principle, but it could be twisted to suit private ends.

Rizal took an overland train, passing through Salt Lake

W

137

THE GREAT MALAYAN City, Omaha, Chicago, and Albany. He got off in New York City after a side trip to Niagara Falls.

"America is undoubtedly a great country, but it still has many defects," he wrote a friend. "There is no true civil liberty. In some states the negro cannot marry a white woman, nor a white man a negress. Hatred against the Chinese leads to difficulty for other Asiatics who, like the Japanese, are mistaken for Chinese by the ignorant, and therefore disliked. The customs examiners are excessively severe. Nevertheless, as they truly say, America offers a fatherland for the poor who wish to work."

On May 16, the City of Rome left New York with Rizal as one of the many passengers for Liverpool. From the deck, Rizal saw Brooklyn Bridge, then the longest suspension bridge in the world, and as they passed Ellis Island he admired the huge and majestic Statue of Liberty. He had a faculty for making friends readil~, and soon became acquainted with all his fellow passengers. Jose had brought with him a yoyo ~ a small wooden ' disc attached to a string from the finger, used

by Filipino children as a toy, and with this he surprised his Anglo-Saxon fri~nds for he employed it as an offensive weapon.

There were the Misses Holt and Thorne to whom he was attracted. There were also various American newspapermen, but after a preliminary conversation he found them backward in geographical and political knowledge.

"They're just about on the levei of the people in Spain," mused Rizal, after taking stock of American news writers. The Americans were kind people, but oh, so provincial ...

After a day in Liverpool, accustoming himself to the noise and bustle of the city following the comparative quiet of a transoceanic boat, he journeyed to London, where by the end of May he found a modest lodging place near Primrose Hill.

Located in the quiet northwestern district of the British metro-

Two o[ the three daughters of the organist of St. Paul's church are pictured above. Rizal grew genuinely fond of the Beckett family, and often accompanied them to picnics and excursions.

THE BECKETT SISTERS

LONDON

139

polis, the house was occupied bv a Mr. Beckett, organist of St. Paul's church.

The Becketts were extremely congenial to the Malayan lodger. "I do not think that this is due to the two pounds sterling a week I pay them-this would be a humiliation for your Rizal and it would be ill to think thus," he wrote Blumentritt.

While Rizal was still in Berlin, Blumentritt had told him of a book on the Philippines written by one Antonio de Morga, a lieutenant-governor of the Islands at the end of the seventeenth century. Rizal was then too busy with the Noli to delve into history. He had always resented the way Spanish historians-friars, with a few notable excep'tions-displayed a patronizing attitude towards the Filipinos at the time of the conquest. Like a ~e Filipino he resented their remarks anent. ~acity and ntorallaxity., t:he world knew about th~ ancient Filipinos throll h the ens of the clerics turned histo~ose gualificatio~, in manY ,instances, I not go beyond the fact that they Gould strin along one sentence after t~ hese VIews had been circulating or the past three centuries to such an extent that the Filipinos had acquired an inferiority complex about their race.

There was nothing new in this method, of course, as conquerors have always assumed a superior role in order to enjoy the fruits of their conquest with the least ambunt of trouble.

Rizal realized this. In the Noli he had portrayed his native land bent under the yoke of the Spanish rule. He had succeeded in awakening his countrymen to their present plight.

His task was now to prove that they were a people worthy of respect and esteem, to resurrect a glorious past, long before vilifying friars had attempted to 'write history with an unfriendly pen.

In the vast reading rooms of the British Museum and L'ibrary, he spent the next few months copying in long hand Morga's book printed in Mexico. "That of Morga is an I

路 THE GREAT MALAYAN excellent book," he commented in a letter to Blumentritt. "It could be said that~is a ~and learned expl~ he has nothing of1拢e superficiality and exaggeration so characteristic of the Spaniards of today. He writes very simply, but on r.eadinglit you have to kno'Y, how to read between the ~ because was a general in th~ !hilippi~s a~ later an ~calde of the Inquisition." To annotate Morga was a difficult task. It meant an enormous amount of reading. Not only did he have to steep himself in Philippine history, but also in the history of other nations of the same period.

Though belated, his fame as author of the Noli increased as the months passed. In Manila, the copies that evaded customs guards sold for as high as fifty pesos each, and were read surreptitiously by Filipinos. It was even reported that many of the families Rizal knew in Manila, influenced by the book and his teachings, went to the extent of no longer attending Church. To counteract the novel, a friar prepared a booklet of questions and answ rs to refute the arguments advanced by Rizal, and in this manner indirectly propagandized the views of the Kalamba physician. The puny efforts of the friar- 路 author, Fray Jose Rodriguez, made Rizal laugh.

"Is it true that these pamphlets were written by one of us?" once asked the painter Hidalgo, soon after Rizal's arrival in Paris in 1889.

"Why do you ask?" said Rizal, somewhat surprised by his friend's question.

"Come, tell me the truth-I won't tell it to a single soul."

"But they were written by a friar-that is the truth."

"Oh," explained Hidalgo, "I 路 thought these books were written by a Filipino to ridicule the friars. An enemy of the friars couldn't have done more to discredit them than by attributing such works to them!"

Antonio Maria Regidor, a wealthy exile of '72 residing in London, regarded Rizal as the bright hope of the fatherland.

After reading the N oli~ Regidor wrote an enthusiastic letter:

E

ANNOTATING MORGA "You are still a child, yet you have molded that 'red bullet' against that organization (friars.) Good! Forward! If Don Quixote immortalizes its author because he uncovered to the world the maladies suffered by Spain, your Noli Me Tangere will bring you the same glory, because its modesty, its truth and able criticism have dealt a mortal blow to that ancient tree filled with defects and corruption. Every patriotic Filipino will seek your book with eagerness, and on discovering in each line a true thought and in each word wise advice, he will be inspired by it and keep it as the masterpiece of a Filipino, and as proof that they (the Spaniards) have lied to or deceived those who had believed we are incapable of producing great men. And I want to add: now we have a critic of the first class, the way we have painters of the first order, robust minds in the forum and distinguished generals in the army.

What do we lack] What you indicated between the lines of your well-conceived book: .!!.nion, energy, det::.rmination ~ .ÂŁ.onstancy. " Encouraged by the reception of the Noli among his countrymen, Rizal planned to publish a second edition. The first edition was almost exhausted. The later edition was going to be the same as the first, except for a correction of typographical errors and the wrong insertion of Shakespeare's name instead of Schiller in one of the quotations. "Let the first flower of .my youth pass with all its errors and defects, and may it be proof that I believed before in the government and its good faith," he said firmly.

For some time he entertained a plan to write a sequel to the Noli~ and at feverish speed dashed off the first few chapters-only to tear them up. Meanwhile, his work on Morga continued.

The price of fame, however, is envy. This was not wanting among the paisanos in Madrid. The great success of the Noli had created envy-unconsciously perhaps-in the hearts of the Filipinos in Madrid. These were the same fellow

THE GREAT MALAYAN students Rizal had once invited to contribute to an anthology.

Preferring to lead the life of a dilettante, lacking tenacity of purpose, they had idled away their time in aimless pursuits, and now that Rizal, whom they considered just their equal, had achieved distinction, they were the first to withhold applause. What hurt Jose most was the fact that they passed judgment on his book without even taking the trouble to read it! Before leaving Germany, he had sent several copies to his friends in Madrid. The books had been detained at the frontier and now, a year later, nobody had even taken the bother to have them passed through!

"Personally, I d~n't resent this," he confessed. "I am sorry _ because of its significance, because I see fading the last of our virtues-unconditional union whenever it was for the good of our country. If even this disappears, what will then be left of us except to beco~e miserable in all things? What virtues have we learned from our stay in Europe? What advantages would we have over our blind brothers? In Manila, prominent paisanos have tried to blacken my work-I have smiled. Now that the Filipino colony in Madrid, the most patriotic and advanced, behaves towards me in that manner-I feel it deeply, because this is a tacit condemnation of my work by my countrymen, if not something worse-moral degeneration. Between the two, I would rather see myself sacrificed. .. He who judges my work as bad after reading it does not hurt me or make me sad, because at the most it shows that I have written badly.

But he who judges my book as bad and repeats the criticism of others without having read it, tells me much: many of the bricks are still of clay and we cannot construct the house."

Nevertheless, stout hearts were not lacking. In Barcelona, a newly arrived student by the name of Mariano Ponce welded the paisanos into a solid patriotic unit. Ponce was not much to look at: although slightly taller than Rizal, he had slanting eyes and stiff, black hair cut short in a pompadour. But the flame of nationalism burned brightly within him. Rizal im-

MARCELO DEL PILAR

143

mediately got in touch with him by letter, and their friendship, based on mutual aspiration, prospered.

Another valiant soul was Marcelo del Pilar, who sacrificed wealth, position, and family to uphold his principles. His father was a gobernadorcillo of Bulacan province and owned rich sugar fields, fishponds, and rice lands. This, however, did not stop young del Pilar from attacking the abuses of Spanish administnition in the Islands. He was Rizal's senior by ten years. A sympathizer of Padre Burgos, like Paciano Rizal, the repressive measures adopted by the government following that memorable year of '72 failed to daunt his courageous heart. Unlike Paciano, the philosopher, Marcelo was of a fighting nature. It took him ten instead of four years to obtain a license or degree in jurisprudence from the University of Santo Tomas just because he had incurred the enmity of one of the Dominican professors. Under similar circumstances, Jose Rizal had fled to Spain. But del Pilar refused to budge an inch. In 1878 he married and subsequently had two children, but marital responsibilities did not turn him into a conservative. In 1884 he incurred the undying hatred of the Spanish curate in his home town by opposing the priest's candidate for the office of capitan municipal. He made himself obnoxious to the Spanish authorities in his province by attacking any injustice committed against the natives.

His pen was not idle in the meantime. With his clear, concise, and forceful style, he contributed articles to periodicals in Manila and Spain under the pseudonym of Plaridel.

The Noli was attacked in the press by friars and the reactionaries. Plaridel jumped into the breach with a fervent defense.

Neither del Pilar nor Rizal had ever met each other-but what did it matter? In heart and mind they had but one thought, one purpose.

"At last I can say, parodying Jacob-'now I can die content'," exclaimed Rizal. "I am sure that the work I have

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144

THE GREAT MALAYAN

dreamed about will be completed. Why couldn't we have a hundred Plaridels?"

Before the end of the year, del Pilar fled from Manila to Europe, a hunted man. And the following year these three, Rizal, del Pilar ' and Ponce, were to form an intellectual triumvirate that fertilized the seedling of revolution planted

by Padre Burgos so that it grew into ~ mighty tree before half a dozen years had elapsed.

Political conditions in the Islands became more unsettled than ever during the year after Rizal's departure. Shortly after Rizal left, Terrero was relieved of his post. General Molto, a sympathizer of the friars, temporarily took charge of affairs. A score of prominent Filipinos, all petty leaders in the disaffected regions, were arrested on the charge of holding clandestine meetings and of resisting constituted authority, the authority being in this case the Archbishop of Manila. Molto, however, had the remnants of a conscience left and was providentially take? ill after one month in office; and another official, General Lobaton, succeeded him.

Before the end of 1888, Valeriano Weyler, Marquis of Tenerife, arrived in Manila from Spain as successor to Terrero.

For a few months, Weyler said or did nothing; he craftily observed how the wind blew. To lull the suspicion of the Filipinos, he made a great deal of noise by instituting "reforms" as innocuous as the propagation of the Spanish language and the development of primary education. At the same time, he launched repressive measures which were to earn him later, in another colonial possession of Castile, the nickname of "The Butcher."

Half a dozen fires of mysterious origin broke out in the towns where anti-church sentiment ran high-in Antipolo, in San Fernando and Bacolor, Pampanga, and in Malolos, Bulacan. The ugly rumor rose, not without basis, that the friars had themselves started the conflagrations. In Malolos, religious authorities objected strenuously to the founding of a

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(Courtesy Trirridad Rizal)

H. DEL PILAR With Rizal, Ponce, Luna and other patriots, del Pilar wrote regularly for La Solidaridad attacking the abuses committed in their country.

"Why couldn't we have a hundred Plaridels?" said Rizal of him.

MARCE LO

TO THE WOMEN OF MALOLOS

145

private school for the teaching of Spanish. This led to a protest on the part of the inhabitants. The movement was headed by the women of the town: wives and daughters of respectable members of the native community-the mdgino6s. They preached the doctrine that it was dishonorable for a Filipino of either sex to follow the guidance of the priests. Some of the more ardent women even advocated hatred against the friars.

Del Pilar was behind the movement, and soon after his arrival in Barcelona he asked Rizal to send the women of Malolos a message. Inspired by their courage, Rizal wrote a long epistle in Tagalog outlining his beliefs regarding womanhood, the Church, and God. Now that you have responded [he wrote] to our first appeal in the interest of the welfare of the people; now that you haye set an example to those who, like you, long to have their eyes opened and to be delivered from servitude, new hopes are awakened in us a d now we even dare to face adversity because we have you for Ollr allies and are confident of victory ...

You know that the will of God is different (rom that of the priest; that religiousness does not consist of long periods spent on your knees, nor of endless prayers, big rosa1'ios, and grimy scapularies, but of spotless conduct, firm intention and upright judgment. .. The official and the friar can no longer assert that they alone are responsible for their unjust orders, because God gave each individual reason and a will of his or her own to distinguish the just from the unjust; all were born without shackles and free, and nobody has a right to subjugate the will and spirit of another. And, why should you submit to another your thoughts, seeing that thought is noble and free?

It is cowardice and error to believe that saintliness consists of blind obedience and that prudence and the habit of thinking are presumption. Ignorance has ever been ignorance, and never prudence and honor. God, the primal source of all wisdom, does not demand that man, created in His image and likeness, allow himself to, be deceived and hoodwinked, but wants us to use and let shine the light of reason with which He has so mercifully endowed us.

THE GREAT MALAYAN Youth is a flower-bed that is to bear rich fruit and mllst accumulate wealth for its descendants. 路What offspring will be that of a woman whose kindness of character is expressed by mumbled prayers; who knows nothing by heart but (fwits) 110venas) and the alleged miracles; whose amusement consists in playing jJangllingue or in the frequent confession oC the same sins? 路W hat sons will she have but acolytes, priest's servants, or cockfighters? It is the mothers who are responsible for the present servitude of our compatriots, owing to the unlimited trustfulness of their loving hearts, to their ardent desire to elevate their sons. Maturity is the fruit of infancy and the inCant is formed on the lap of its mother .. .

Saintliness consists in the first place in obeying the diclales of reason, happen what may ...

Let us be reasonable and open our eyes, especially you women, because you are the first to influence the consciousness of man. Remember that a good mother does not resemble the mother that the friar has created; she must bring up her child to be the image of the true God, not of a blackmailing, or a grasping God, but of a God who is the father of us all, who is just; who does not suck the life-blood of the poor like a yamrire, nor scoff at the agony of the sorely beset, nor make a crooked path of the path of justice . .. The people can neither expect honor nor prosperity so long as they educate their children in a wrong way, so long as tfie woman who guides the child in his first steps is lavish and ignoranl. No good water comes from a turbid, bitter spring; no savory fruit comes from acrid seed ...

I do not expect to be believed simply because it is I who am saying this; there are many people who do not listen to reason, but will listen only to those who wear the cassock or have gray hair or no teeth; but while it is true that the aged should be venerated because of their travails and experience, yet the life I have lived, consecrated to the happiness of the people, adds some years, though not many, to my age. I do not pretend to be looked upon as an idol or fetish and bc belicved and listened to. with eyes closed, head bowed, and arms crossed over the breast. ''''hat I ask of all is.LD reflect on what I tell them, think it over and sift it carefully through the sieve of reaSOll.

VENGEANCE STARTS

147

Aside from letters of relative,s and friends, Rizal received news from home through the issues of the Honglwng Telegraph 'which Basa sent him. Five months after leaving the Philippines, he read that Laureano Viado, a young :M anila student, had been jailed after the gua'rdia civiles had found a copy of the Noli hidden in the latter's home. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, whom Rizal had purposely avoided meeting in Manila, was suddenly prohibited from visiting his patients. A suspicious goyernment was taking no chances that Pardo might be the hidden instrumentality spreading Rizal's propaganda.

"Beware!" exclaimed Rizal on hearing the news. "Can this be the first blow against .Pardo? He has many enemies among the peninsulars1 in 'M anila. I was sure of this, but I thought the peninsulars 'w ould behave better."

The vengeance that the friars had so long held in their hearts ~gainst Rizal was not much delayed in coming into fruition. Saturnina's usband, Manuel T. Hidalgo, was accused by the friars of being his brother-in-Iaw's representative, a filibustero, and of various other crimes. It did not matter that the accusations were trumped up-the accused never knew what the charges "were against him, and was given neither a fair trial nor a chance to defend himself-he was hustled off immediately and exiled to Tagbilaran, Bohol.

"I hope that this is not ' the beginning of their vengeance against me!" declared Rizal in London. "I believe my happiest days have passed. My life is a burden to my family."

Six months later, on May 23, 1889, the vindictive enemy unleasre d another attack typical of its methods and the times.

Rizal's brother-in-law, IVIai-iano Herbosa, died of cholera. On the excuse that Mariano had not been shriven-he had stopped going to confession since his marriage to Lucia Rizal-the friars refused to give him Christian burial. The corpse had to be buried in the lecheria, among the non-Christian Chinese.

1 Peninsulars were Spaniards born in Spain who came to lhe Philippines. and were thus called to distinguish them from creoles who were Spaniards born in the colony.

THE GREAT MALAYAN Even Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a stout defender of the friars in the Philippines, could not stand the outrage. "I don't think this was the doctrine preached by Jesus!" wrote Don Pablo from his home in Madrid.

For the first time, perhaps, Rizal felt the intensity of the hatred the friars had for him, and realized that his enemies would go to any length to avenge themselves on him.

The defense of the Noli by a Filipino priest, Padre Vicente Garcia, from the criticism of Fray Rodriguez gladdened the heart of Rizal. So the indomitable spirit of Padre Burgos was still alive among the native clergy! Padre Garcia was known as a profound theologian and a great philosopher. He was a dignitary, an elderly canon of the Cathedral of Manila.

Despite the macabre example of Padre Burgos before his eyes, Padre Garcia could not remain indifferent to the one-sided and unjust attacks on Rizal.

Friends in Manila also reported that the Jesuits were siding with their former pupil against the religious corporations.

But Rizal, after that interview with his former teachers, doubted the truth of the report. It ,vas true that the Jesuits had not been invited to preach from the pUlpit in the novenas) but Rizal suspected the difference arose from another cause.

He. guessed rightly that the reason was the fresh controversy over the division of parochial districts in Mindanao-the Jesuits were too smart to espouse Rizal's cause against the powerful friars.

The arrival of Ponce in Barcelona and of Rizal in London gave new impetus to the plans of consolidating Filipino students in Spain. New faces appeared among the paisanos: Galicano Apacible, Jose Alejandrino, Eusebio Panlilio, and Feliciano Gonzalez of Pampanga, Santiago Icasiano, Jose Albert, Dominador Gomez, and others. Lete, aspiring to fill Rizal's shoes, had taken the lead in the affairs of the colony in Madrid.

He edited the periodical, Espana en Filipinas) which ceased publication after several issues. From Germany Rizal had sent

JEALOUSIES

149

him a' copy of the Noli for review, which he failed to do except for a few superficial remarks that were not flattering. He afterwards excused himself on the grounds that he had received the book just before the deadline and that soon after that, the journal ceased to exist. But there can be no doubt that he was extremely jealous of Rizal's rise to prominence after the publication of the Noli. In the beginning, Lete did not care to join the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina because, as Antonio Luna put it, "of the presence of certain elements (indios)." Yet, ambition made him accept the position of secretary. He headed a clique of four roommates; otherwise, he wielded no influence over the paisanos, who justly regarded him as a troubl~-maker.

It was Lete's criticism of the Noli that led Rizal to admit: "I myself recognize that my work has defects, and I have said this from the beginning, but I do not think they are many or 路enormous; in the fu ure I shall try to avoid them." The criticism that the Noli was not great l{terature was also made; and, once more hurt to the quick, Rizal replied: "To me, the question of writing with a greater or less degree of literary style is secondary: the principal thing is to think and feel honestly, to 路work for an end and then let the pen do its best in transmitting our ideas. What we should ask most of a Filipino of our generation is not to be a stylist, but to be a good man, a good citizen who will aid with his head, his heart, and if need be with his hands the progress of his country. With the head and the heart, we can and should always work; with the hands, when the time comes. At present the principal instrument of the heart and the head is the pen. Some prefer the brush, others the chisel. I prefer the pen. Let it not appear to us now that the instrument is the primary object; for sometimes with a bad one we can accomplish large undertakings-look at the Filipino bolo. In bad literature sometimes the greatest truths can be said."

Attempts were made to revive the defunct periodical Espana en Filipinas. Twenty-five of the thirty paisanos in Ma-

THE GREAT MALAYAN drid were for Rizal as editor of the new journal. The rest supported Lete. Those in Barcelona were solidly behind Rizal. Rizal, however, declined the post because he feared his election would lead to a division among his countrymen; underneath, perhaps, lay the fact that he was too sensitive and proud to accept a post which did not meet with the unanimous approval of all elements in the colony.

The Madrid colony re-established the Asociacion HispanoFilipina~ electing Miguel 1\10rayta, a prominent Spanish politician, as president. The more radical Filipinos, mainly in Barcelona, were not satisfied with the Asociacion; with a Spaniard at the head of it, they reasoned, the organization would naturally favor having the Philippines remain under Spain as long as possible. This radical group decided to form their own association and named ' it La Solidaridad~ with Galicano Apacible as president; Lopez Jaena as vice-president; Manuel Santa Maria as secretar'y; "M ariano Ponce as treasurer; and Jose Panganiban as accountant. The new organization, having more decided nationalistic aspirations, met with Rizal's approval. The Solidarios held the traditional New Year's Eve banquet to inaugurate their new organization. Members, casting about ,for a worthy leader, unanimously elected Rizal as their honorary president.

Informed of his election, Rizal promptly sent them a message: "In newly-born societies, the spirit of tolerance must reign. .. in discussions the conciliatory tendency must reign instead of the tendency to opposition. Nobody should resent a defeat. .. The individual should give way to the well-being of society. .. The decisions of the majority, after sufficient discussion, are sacred and cannot be questioned. 1\1 uch honesty and much good will are needed. Le1: no one expect prizes or honors for what he does; he who fulfills his duty "i"lith a view to recompense often receives disappointment, for nobody ever believes he is sufficiently rewarded. .. Economy, economy, and

PARIS AND SPAIN economy should be our 路watchword. Sincerity and equal justice to all."

Early in September, 1888, Rizal paid a week's visit to Paris, in order to ransack the Bibliotheque Nacionale for any old books on the Philippines, in connection with his study on l\Iorga. Regidor had offered to defray half of the expenses, as Jose's savings-the money he had received as fees while practicing medicine in Kalamba-were fast dwindling. While in Paris, Jose spent much time with the Juan Lunas, whose greatest joy centered on their little son Andres, or Luling, as they nicknamed him. Before returning to London, the Lunas gave a party in honor of Rizal. All the Filipinos in Paris were present and native Filipino dishes were served to the delighted guests.

On December 11, in the midst of his annotations on J\J orga's book, Rizal made a flying trip of twelve days to Madrid and Barcelona for the purpose of surveying conditions among lhe jJaisanos in Spain. Friends had insisted on his participation in the SoZirlaTidacl and he wanted to see things for himself before accepting. For the first time he met Ponce and del Pilar. The former 'ivas tall with almond eyes, the latter short and moon-faced, sporting handle-bar mustaches; but in lhese lWO he immediately recognized an affinity of purpose lhal bound him to them as blood-brothers. Before, he had been alone in his mission of propaganda. True, there was Graciano Lopez Jaena, a brilliant co-worker, but ~n erratic personality who could not be relied upon. Even at that very momel1l, Graciaf10 was in sore financial straits and was later to subsisl on the alms of generous friends. But now, here were two souls to keep the torch of nationalism burning, two fearless beings who would carryon the good work.

Rizal returned to London on December 23rd. He had grown fond of the Becketts, particularly of Gertrude, the eighteen-year-old daughter of his landlord. He could have spent Christmas and New Year's Day among his intimate friends

THE GREAT l\1ALAYAN in Barcelona, but he liked best to spend Yuletide in the warmth of a family reunion.

"Christmas," he told Blumentritt, "reminds me of the many happy days not only of my infancy but also in history.

Whether Christ was born exactly on this day I do not know.

Historical precision has nothing to do with this. A great genius was born who preached truth and love. He suffered on account of His mission but, because of His sufferings, the world has improved-if not been saved. The only thing that nauseates me is seeing some persons abuse His name to commit many crimes!" .

Rizal was a lodestone that attracted paisanos} and not many months had elapsed since his arrival in London before he had formed a club composed of Filipinos: Cornelio Aenlle, the Regidors (Antonio and l\1anuel), Nicolas l\fontero, Fernando Vizmanos: Pedro Ramos, and a few others. On weekdays, he passed the. day in the British ~1 useum, poring over the first Spanish accounts of the Philippines. What Chirino, Rada, San Agustin, and others wrote about the early Filipinos filled him with rage. Before his countrymen, in the evenings, he usually exploded with a tirade against the friar-historians who vilified the inhabitants of the Islands partly because of their (the friars') ignorance and partly because of their desire to heap glory on their religion and race. He usually spent Sunday~ in the home of Dr. Rheinhold Rost, librarian of the India Office and an authority on Malayan customs and languages.

Dr. Rost, an elderly man of sixty with white hair and flowing beard, always 1velcomed the presence of one with whom he could hold an intelligent conversation about his life-work . .

The long winter days passed quickly. It was quite an experience to spend winter in London. so different" from any other place he had known. 路M any times the fog was so thick Jose could scarcely distinguish objects a few yards away. He exercised by walking often 路from Primrose Hill acrOss Regent's Park to the Museum, a distance of several kilometers. An

-

( Cou,rtesy Trinidad Riza l )

GERTRUDE BECKETT

In the home of her family on Primrose Hill, Rizal boarded for several months in 1888-89 during his stay in London. Because of her, Rizal suddenly left England for France.

)

,

HARBINGER OF SPRING

153

attractive feature of British life, he noticed, was the way private parks were to be found at almost every other street corner.

Englishmen loved grass lawns, vines, and hedges, and the bits of green scattered throughout relieved the great metropolis of much of its drabness.

Rizal picked up English quite rapidly. He had become interested in that language while still a medical student in Madrid, but this was the first chance he had of acquiring its seemingly peculiar idioms and ways of pronunciation. Helping him learn that tongue, of course, were the Becketts and in particular Gertrude, who brought the breakfast tray to his room every morning. This was an English custom, and lodgers usually had breakfast included in the charge for rooms.

Gettie, as she was called by her two younger sisters and the rest of the family, was a buxom girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and pink cheeks. She was nspoiled, brimming with health, very naive and without much schooling. Jose felt a twinge of conscience whenever he thought of Leonor-but he . was not making love to Gettie, and besides how long ago was it since he last saw Leonor? In the fall, while the weather was warm enough to permit it, he accompanied the family to picnics or plays, of which the girls were very fond. Jose resumed his working in sculpturing, specially in clay, and allowed Gettie to help him prepare the models. She would bring his breakfast on the cold dark mornings: a rasher of bacon or ham, . perhaps a kippered herring, a couple of eggs, soft-boiled or poached, toast, and tea in a pot covered by an embroidered flannel cosy to keep it hot. She always had a ready smile for him, chattering gaily like a magpie. She evolved favorite nicknames of endearment all of her own for him-such as "pet," "duckie," or "pettee."

March came-the harbinger of spring. Abruptly, Rizal realized where this friendship with Gettie was heading. ''I'm leaving the Becketts soon-perhaps even London," he announced one day to Regidor.

THE GREAT MALAYAN Regidor noticed that his younl-S visitor looked worried.

Gently the elder man probed into the reason for the sudden departure. Jose confided that Gettie was falling in love with him, and he-well, he was very .f ond of her.

"I cannot deceive her," said Jose. "I cannot marry her because I have other ties which remind me of our country and do not permit me to marry her. I am not going to commit the indignity of placing passion over a pure and virginal love, such as she might offer me."

Similar reasons which prevented him from falling in love with Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, or with O-Sei-San in Tokio, led him to abandon London. Gettie was a good girl from a respectable family, and he was too honorable to take advantage of her love. 4 sudden and clean break, he decided, was for the best of all interests con~erned. He did not want to disillusion her rudely-to tell her things that might hurt her girlish heart. His absence he knew, would probably cure her.

So he left hurriedly for Paris in the middle of March, and as a parting gift presented the sisters with a clay medallion bearing their profiles. Gettie pursued him with letters, the first of which read: My Dear Mr. Rizal: I hope YOll don't think me unkind or forgetful not answering your letter before, but really we have been waiting to hear from yon, not knowing if you received your box safely and I wasn't Sllre if we had the correct address, you are always moving; you are a funny little thing, now suppose if I had come with you, we should have had a dear little room and not apt fidgeting about so.

Do (sic) you worry when you never receiyed the first letter I wTote you? I had it returned the other clay, wasn'l it funny after such a long t-ime because I wrote it directly after you went, so you would have received it the next morning. Oh. I w~s so miserable then; I couldn't help writing to you, nobody knew anything about it though. Thank you very much for sending

A CLEAN BREAK the fashion paper but there are no pretty dresses in it, not half so nice as our English fashions. Have they admitted the bust we made? But of course they have, though you do things so beautifully, they couldn't refuse it. . .

But Rizal ignored her purposely, writing to her only at infrequent intervals. It was a cruel thing to do, but it was the best cure he could prescribe for her. The treatment worked.

For the next year or two, she corresponded with him faithfully until her interest waned and she stopped writing completely.

CHAPTER X ARIS in the spring of 1889 was bustling with activity because of the International Exposition. The French capital was attracting thousands of visitors every week, not only from France itself, but from all over Europe. The influx of transients filled the hotels, and put rooms for rent at a premium. Vacant rooms were a rarity in any corner of Paris, and thrifty housekeepers took advantage of the situation by clearing out one or two of their rooms and offering them to visito.rs at exorbitant prices. As the great metropolis became more congested with each passing day, landladies craftily raised their rents to unreasonable levels. Rizal was disgusted. Aside from the fact that he was not wealthy enough to meet the increase in rent indiffer ently, he ",vas opposed to such a practice in principle. He could do nothing about it, however, for he was Gaught in the economic law of supply and demand. During the next three months and a half he was forced to shift from one boarding place to another at least five times .

P

" I believe 1 should leave Paris," he complained to Blumentritt. "Landladies have become crazy because of the expoSItIOn. They ask more than double the usual rent. For a little room which ordinarily would rent for fifty francs, now I pay seventy-five and I'm being asked even one hundred twenty francs for it, despite a promise not to increase the rent.

I am greatly angered by theJandlady's failure to keep her word and because the law does not punish this breach of promise."

All the past months, while in London, he had been thinking of forming an association of foreign scholars sympathetic to his national aspirations. Shortly after his arrival in Paris, he created the 'Asocia~i6n InteTnacional de Filipinistas ) with Blumentritt as president; Edmund Planchet, a French scholar, as vice-president; Rost and Regidor as councilors; and himself 15 6

(Courtesy Alfon so T. Ongpin)

IN EUROPE This is one of the two rare profile pictures of Rizal, taken some time during his second trip to Europe, most probably in Paris. Left to right: Baldomero Roxas (?), Greg-orio Aguilera, Jose Rizal, Guillermo Pautu, and Jose Alejandrino (?).

FILIPINO STUDENTS

A GUIDE IN PARIS EXPOSITION as secretary. It was necessary for hilI] to become the secretary in order to keep things moving; otherwise, the movement might fizzle out almost as soon as it ",路vas conceived. His plan was to hold a meeting of the association in Paris during the exposition as a part of the great exposition itself. Thus, the association would be recognized and placed under the wings of the exposition and would gain renown in international circles. This would have been another blow against those who always tried to belittle the work of the Filipino students abroad.

To Rizal's great chagrin, however, the directors of the exposition refused to take the newly formed association under its protection on the ground that the government had limited the number of international con(erences which could be held during the period. The project to unite leading European scholars into a compact group, which would espouse the cause of liberalism and progress in the Philippines, was thus abandoned.

A good number of Eilipinos in Spain were attracted to Paris during the exposition, including Baldomero Roxas and Lauro Dimayuga, both from Batangas, Gregorio Aguilera, Julio Llorente, Gregorio Pautu and Fernando Canon. Antonio Luna also made it an occasion to visit his brother Juan. Fertileminded Rizal, on seeing so many staunch paisanos in one place, immediately proposed the formation of a Kidlcit Club in one of their social gatherings. ((Kidldt in Tagalog signifies lightning," he explained to Blumentritt, "and for the same reason this Club will live only during the exposition. We thought of it and created it in an hour. Likewise, it will disappear like lightning."

The Filipinos in Paris usually went in a group to the exposition grounds. On one of these trips, they saw Buffalo Bill's troupe at Neuilly. The cowboys' ability in horsemanship and in the use of the lasso and the six-shooter, impressed everyone greatly. These wild V\Testern riders had a robust zest in life that thrilled all those possessed of a spark of adventure. After the show, Rizal took his friends to a cheap cafe. He always

THE GREAT MALAYAN >41

knew where the most food could be obtained for the least amount of money, and accordingly guided his friends to such a restauran t.

Friars and Spaniards in the Islands had always called the Filipinos indios-a name which rankled in the heart of every true Filipino. That day at the exposition Rizal and his friends had seen American Indians who rode horses like centaurs.

These American indios were tall, proud, and splendidly muscled -they even excelled Buffalo Bill's cowboys, for they rode bareback. " Why should we resent being called indios?Âť challenged Rizal. "Look at the American indios we saw today-were they ashamed of their own race? Let us wear the name indio as our badge of racial pride! Let us make the Spaniard revise his conception of the indio--we shall become Indios Bravos!"

The rest took up the suggestion with enthusiasm. Roxas, Dimayuga, Aguilera, Antonio Luna, Ventura, Pautu, and Rizal pledged themselves to' excel in all mental and physical prowess, and in that manner gain the admiration of the Spaniards.

During the exposition, Rizal acted as a guide for Llorente, Canon, and the other paisanos from Madrid. Canon had fled from the Islands over a year before. Soon after his arrival in Barcelona, he married an old sweetheart, Teresina Battle, and was now in Paris with his wife and eldest child, a boy. Mrs. Canon, although a Spaniard by blood and birth, sympathized with the Filipinos' aspirations and was instrumental in smuggling through the Nlanila customs scores of copies of the Noli.

Rizal had told her, at a gathering in Juan Luna's house: "When we have a national anthem and a flag, Teresina, have them circulate in all corners of the Islands." She -had promised she would. Teresina did not forget, and fifteen years later, after the proud flag of Castile had been replaced by the Stars and Stripes, she fulfilled her promise.

Rizal was a conscientious guide, and for eight consecutive days he put in an appearance at a certain hour each morning

REVOLUTION CO!\fES WITH EVOLUTION

159

escort the Canons to the exposition. They invariably hired a cab from their residence at 10 Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne to the grounds, making a trip lasting about half an hour. Rizal took them to each place with great efficiency. He was thorough and wasted no time in taking them from one point of interest to the other. He was a talkative companion, continually comparing things at the exposition with what he had seen in his travels.

Once, descending from the carriage, he held Canon's baby in his arms for a few minutes. ((Chico) I hope you won't feel sad at having my child in your arms," remarked Canon. Canon remembered clearly Rizal's regret at the baptismal ceremony of Juan Luna's oldest child. Rizal had observed that in Luling, offspring of Luna and Pacita Pardo, could be found one more Frenchman and one less F:ilipino, although a coutltry like the Philippines needed men most of all for its edemption.

For several seconds Rizal looked at Canon in an absentminded way, while the baby gurgled innocently in his arms.

"Say," finally exclaimed Rizal, "do you know that there is such a thing as mental telepathy? I was thinking of the same thing. Frankly I am not sad. I'm happy, and I've been so ever since I made a certain observation in our country.

Consider-Novales, Burgos, and others who were victims, they were either Spanish or Chinese mestizos. It seems that in our country an historical prophecy is being fulfilled. Revolution comes with the evolution of the race. I have advanced this thesis in my Noli) with r-.laria Clara and Ibarra as leading characters, both mestizos ... " Canon never forgot Rizal's prophetic words. Eight years later, when Canon joined the revolutionary ranks in the war against Spain, he found numerous mestizos as his companionsin-arms who did not hesitate to shed their blood or sacrifice their lives so that the country they loved might one day be free. to

160

THE GREAT l\IALAYAN

On April I, Rizal received a cablegram from Kalamba telling about the abuses committed by local authorities against residents of the town. The last day of May in Manila and the adjoining provinces proved hectic. Military authorities discovered fifty kegs of gunpowder in the suburb called Pandacan.

Various boxes containing pistols and revolver shells were found in Santa Mesa, just behind the Hippodrome. Alarmed Spaniards immediately envisioned an uprising. Since March, wild rumors had circulated that discontented indios would stage a rebellion. Newly-arrived Spaniards in Manila immediately bought out the entire stock of arms and ammunition of the Bazar Filipino as preparation in the event the rumors might prove true. Friars and officials in Manila were evidently in a jittery frame of mind, and did not hesitate to jail any suspects they could lay their hands on. In Kalamba, the Dominican lay-brother, assisted by the guardia civil) turned out tenants from their houses even in the middle of the night.

Rizal couldn't sleep the night following receipt of the news, and on the next day he drafted a letter to members of the Solidaridad in Barcelona telling them "these imprisonments and abuses were a necessary evil of a corrupt society. Liberty is a woman who concedes her favors only to the brave; enslaved countries that abuse this privilege lose it." His hands were tied. To draw up a memorial for the freedom of those imprisoned in Manila would be only imposing additional punishment on them as the reactionaries abhorred the very name of Rizal in any petition or document.

The news finally leaked out that these alleged evidences of a rebellion had been purposely planted by the authorities, in order that Governor Weyler could have a pretext to rule with a mailed fist. To Ponce and the Solidarios) a fortnight later, Rizal wrote more extensively on the subject: ... Though we feel (that these imprisonments) are a private misfortune, we must applaud them as of general benefit. Without 1872 we would not now have Plaridel, Jaen"a, Sancianco, nor

PERSECUTION LEADS TO REFORl\I

161

would the valiant and generous Filipino colonies in Europe exist; without 1872, Rizal would now be a Jesuit and instead of writing Noli Me Tangere, he would have written the opposite.

Though I was only a child, because of those injustices and cruelties, my imagination was awakened and I swore to dedicate myself in avenging some day so many victims, and with this idea I have been studying. This can be read in all my works and books: God will give me the chance some day to fulfill my promise. Good-let them commit abuses, let them imprison, exile, execute victims-very well-may destiny be fulfilled!

The day in which they lay hands on us, the day when they martyrize our innocen t families because of us-farewell to government by the friars, and possibly, farewell to the Spanish government! ...

Do not fear or worry if a few fall. In all struggles there are always victims, and precisely the larger the battle the bloodier it is. 路W hat is prison? What is death? An illness binds us sometimes to the couch and takes away our life . ..

These imprisonments, these vexations will stiffen the extremely soft crust of our countrymen. Some will fall and turn apostate-never mind; others perhaps will remain firm. \Vhat is now lacking are men who from jail and in exile exhibit valor and integrity to give an example to the people and enthuse them as did the ancient Christian martyrs or the Nihilists. \Vithout the severity of the Russian Govern.ment, the temper of the Nihilists would not have been forged. Because of this I believe we are lacking in that respect. If Burgos on dying had shown the valor of Gomez, the Filipinos of today would have been different. Nevertheless, no one knows how he will behave in that supreme moment, and perhaps I myself who preach and brag so much, may show greater fear and less vigor than Burgos in that critical stage. Life is so pleasing, and it's so repugnant to die young by hanging, with ideas in the head ... . . . The first words I said to my family upon arrival in the Philippines, when they expressed their fear, were that they were not to take the smallest step for me in case I was arrested, neither should they plead nor spend anything for me. Let them educate my nephews, and they will avenge me.

I would say the same thing to my countrymen. The day you see me in the clutches of the friars, do not lose time making complaints, proffering expostulations or laments-it's useless.

Try and put somebody in my place who will avenge me and make them pay dearly for my misfortune.

THE GREAT MALAYAN He had occasion, a few years later, to practice what he had so long preached when the Spanish authorities exiled him to a lonely spot and later decreed that he be publicly executed.

Early in July Rizal decided to go back to London for several days in order to check up on the proofs of his book on 'M orga with the original at the British Museum . He took the train for Dieppe, where he boarded a boat for the trip across the English Channel. On the train from Paris to Dieppe he had some interesting companions. He has written a vivid and delightful description of the trip.

At 8:55 p. m. on July 4 (he wrote in Spanish) we left Paris five minutes later than the hour fixed by the time-tables.

This tardiness is always caused by the coupling of one or two cars at the last minute. In Paris, I have always seen these things repeated every time I have been in the railroad stations of Orleans, Lyon, Gare du Nord and San Lazare to bid farewell to somebody. Is this proof that the public is too large, that there is an xcess of travelers whom the company has not foreseen? Frankl}" when I first heard of it, I said to myself what Madrilenos' say on leaving Madrid: "Goodbye, Madrid-yoH're being depopulated!"

I believed that it was an extraordinary day, but later I became convinced that the only extraordinary thing about all this was the railroad company . . Under this arrangement of the railroad managers, we are seven in our small compartment despite the prevailing heat.

There were three Americans: two old men with long beards, the replica of the illustrations in the book by Jules Verne, "From the Earth to the Moon." These two barely talked, but the third, who wore only mustachios and possessed an the personality of an American ltrlmb6g, did all the talking for the other two and for himself. In front was an Englishman, and beside him two Frenchmen who, during the trip, opened neither their lips nor their eyelids.

While waiting for the hour of departure, the American with the physiognomy of a hamboguem who was seated by my side -he occupied the center of the seat-did not cease talking.

It was true he spoke in English. He had found everything in

AN AMERICAN EXAGGERATES Paris bad: the exposition, the Eiffel Tower, streetcars, omnibus, cafes, restaurants, buildings, etc. Nothing could compare to New York-New York here, New York there, New York everywhere-there was no place like New York.

His two countrymen let him talk, ahd the Englishman limited himself to saying from time to time whenever the remarks seemed a bit phenomenal, "Ow-w-h, indeed!"

The truth is that Paris is not the perfect city imagined by many Parisiennes. It's true that it has many bad and defective things: that if good coffee is not abundant, on the other hand good chicory is plentiful; that the service on bus and streetcars is insufficient; that the greater part of the houses are built in the same style-all these, and others beside, are true. But Paris to our poor American does not have even one grain of genuine coffee, or a single seat in the public vehicles, although he waited all day for one in a bus station.

I have observed on more than one occasion and prior to me others have li~ewise noticed, tha.t the North American is quite hyperbolic in is language, though not sO' much as the Spaniard. The latter) for example, whenever he wants to ponder on some thing would say: "Andalucia is the most beautiful country in the world)路 soand-so is the premier Qrator in the entire w01"ld)路 the Spanish soldier is the best in the world) he is the most martial and most moderate in his pleasures; the Puerta del Sol is the most beautiful plaza in the w01"ld; the Palacio de Oriente is the most beautiful palace in the w01"ld) etc."

Our American also uses the words "in the world" but has the modesty to add, "that I have ever seen." Talking about St. Paul's in London, he said: "It is the dirtiest place in the world I have ever seen."

"Ow-w-h, indeed!" replied the Englishman.

He must have seen very little of the world or of his own country, for I believe without having to leave New York that there are places dirtier than the plaza of St. Paul's cathedral in London.

It's also true that after a minute, he added: "Pittsburgh is the dirtiest city in the world that I have ever seen!"

When, 1 asked myself, did this man ever see Pittsburgh?

Just a minute ago he didn't seem to know it-St. Paul's was the dirtiest-now it's Pittsburgh.

THE GREAT MALAYAN The traveler's bilious disposition was beginning to molest me and I was going to change the subject of the conversation, reminding him of what I have seen and suffered in America, in New York itself-the nuisances and hardships we were forced to endure by American customs authorities, the exigencies of cab drivers, barbers, etc., people who, as in many other places, live at the expense of the traveler-when fortunately the train began to move and my man stopped lalking as if by magic!

I was tempted to believe that the verbosity of my man, in spite of his being a good Yankee, came from steam and that within his body was a steam engine. I even imagined seeing in him an artificial man created and launched in the world

by Americans, possessing a perfect interior mechanism to discredit Europe and to foist in triumph the great republic-a machine fed by the same steam as the locomolives. My automaton started to sleep. Everybody else began to sleep. I alone remained -pensi ~e and in a thoughtful mood.

My word, r said to myself as the train slowly accelerated on its way out of Paris, is it the coffee or the chico~y I have just drunk, not being accustomed to it, that has made me so nervous? Or is it because there boils in me the blood of a Quixote that compels me to defend even my enemies when I see them unjustly attacked? '!\Thy should I have become so nervous hearing this al1tomaton rave against everything in Paris, finding ugliness and even vulgarity in the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde-I, who have so many causes for complaint against the Parisiennes-I, who am forced to leave Paris because of the greed and bad faith of th<e hotel keepers and landladies of boarding houses-I, who was forced to change residence five times in three months and a half, when in Berlin and London I didn't move from one place?

Why, while passing a street the day before yesterday, a stupid servant girl emptied a glass of wine on my trousers. She later hid in fear and when I complained to the gendarme, he merely replied: "It's beastly, it's truly beastly!"

It's also a misfortune to understand many languages because there are more chances to hear stupidities and foolishness .

Sir, I said thinking of God-because I believe in God despite what the friars say-if because of the six or seven languages that I barely unclerstand I pass uncomfortable moments because of the stupidities that I hear, what times You must pass, You

ANNOYANCES OF TRAVEL who understand all tongues not only of men but of animals?

If I, who am a bit less than ignorance itself, get so irritated hearing the stupid proposals of one single human being, what must happen to You who are wisdom itself on hearing our stupid words, our crazy pretensions, and above all on judging the qualities and attributes of those who dare to measure, define and interpret You, those wh.ose profession is ignorance, whose dogma is blindness and whose food is obscurantism?

While thinking of these things, I saw the light of the Eiffel Tower disappearing, like the light-house of Manila at the entrance to the Pasig river ...

At 10: 15 we arriyed in Vernon.

"How long does the train stop here?" one of the Americans with a long beard asked a porter. Naturally, the porter who did not understand English failed to answer. The American raised his voice, asking the same question. It was futile. He asked a third time. Undoubtedly, I was not in my normal state for, seeing the irritation of the North American, I also shouted in French: "Parlez-1.Ious fm71cais?"

Naturally, the American also failed to understand me.

Then I smiled at my confu ion, and became his interpreter.

The train was not going to stop for more than two minutes.

Then I remembered that I erred in laughing at what had happened to a certain beautiful Spanish girl, an acquaintance of mine, who went shopping in Le Louvre,1 using Spanish, and when they failed to understand her, shouted and tried to â&#x20AC;˘ pronounce the Spanish words better.

The night was marvelous, and were it not for the dust, I could scarcely complain. 1\1 y companions continued sleeping and fortunately no one snored, no one placed his legs over mine, and no one used my shoulders as a pillow.

We arrived in Rouen at 11: 30. There was a stop of six minutes. To my misfortune, as the Frenchmen were detraining there, everybody woke up and my American continued with his theme on Paris at the exact place he had left off, as if he had not slept, as if one hour and a half had not passed. I looked at him with fright. Naturally the train was not moving and my automaton was utilizing the steam.

1 Le

Louvre is one of the largest department stores in Paris.

166

THE GREAT MALAYAN I got down for a little walk to give vent to some of my feelings ... and on my return I found my man spouting on the beauties and comforts of New York. At every eulogy of the monuments and grandeur of the Yankee nation, the Englishman merely answered: "Ow-w-h, are they?"

The train later went on its way and naturally, my automaton lacked steam. He became silent-his engine went to sleep!

At last we arrived in Dieppe and I left my companions.

The Englishman, deviating from the custom of his countrymen, took the trouble of helping me bring down my valise. I bade him "thanks and goodnight" and left.

Morga's book, unfortunately, was not available for consultation at the British 1\1 useum. Rizal was disappointed but found consolation in the warmth of the reception given him by the Beckett household and Gertrude in particular. He was tempted to stay longer in Primrose Hill, after the unpleasant experience with Parisian landladies. Gettie was more attractive than ever ... but he resolutely forced her out of his mlnd and left London a week later. Once in Paris, he .sent her a pair of brooches to appease his conscience for deliberately sidetracking her. The gift, however, had an opposite effect and she mailed him the following reply: I can't imagine why you don't answer my letter, it has been nearly three weeks since I wrote to you. I suppose you are making me wait, because I did not acknowledge the brooches until about a week after I received them; I am sorry I could not write before, I assure you I was miserable until I had done so. All I can think is that you are ill or that you have had to go to Spain in a hurry again and are detained there.

There is not a day passed without I have looked (sic) for a letter from you and have been so disappointed at not having one. I do hope you are not offended with me, dearest. I won't tell you anything until I hear from you, which I hope won't be long. If it is, I shall know that you are offended and are never going t.o write to me any more. Oh, dear! I hope

POLITICAL PROPAGANDA you are not cross with me, I can't think what I have done, darling; 1 am so miserable. \'\Tith fondest love [rom your ever loving GERTRUDE

P. S. Do write, dearest, to me; let me have a letter soon; not Thursday, dear, because there will be a lot of people here, as it is the regatta. I shall be so fearfully red; I always become red, dear. Good-bye.

The work of propaganda carried out by the Filipinos in Europe was in full swing, and Rinl immersed himself in writing essays and articles, aside from correcting the proofs of the Morga and continuing with the second part of the Noli. In Barcelona, the fortnightly journal of opinion, La Solirlaridad, was born under the inspiration of the brilliant Lopez Jaen::t.

Rizal, del Pilar, Ponce, Pafiganiban, Antonio Luna, Moises Salvador, and others contributed articles whose every line was a cry for reform and justice in the Philippines. They 'wrote under various pseudonyms, follo'wing the common practice of the epoch. Rizal used Dimas A lang, Tagalog for "Cannot Be Touched," and Laong Laan fOl~ "Prepared Beforehand". Del Pilar chose Plarirlel Ponce his nickname of Naning and Kalipulalw, the Malay chieftain of Mactan, where Magellan was killed; and Antonio Luna the nom de plume of Taga-ilog or "River People."

Spanish reactionaries hired men to combat the attacks of the Soli : there was young Wenceslao Retana, a prolific journalist who wrote under the assumed name of Desengai'ios; Pablo Feced, who chose the outlandish title of Quioquiap; and Vicente Barrantes, the most biting of them all.

It was Barrantes who composed the rhyme fondly recited

by Spaniards in the' Islands: J

EL INDIO FILIPINO

Cual pdjaro, del a'rlJOl, cllelga el nido Siembra el anoz, donde le da la gana.

Se acuesta con su 111,adre 6 con s1ÂŁ hermana Y se va sin saber a que ha venido.

168

"

THE GREAT MALAYAN

Such poolroom lines made every Filipino's blood boil, and even gentle Rizal, magnanimous to a fault, despised and hated Barrantes with an intensity surprising for him. It was this same Barrantes who, in October of 1883 to camouflage an attempt at robbery, caused the summary imprisonment of a dozen residents of Tondo. Rizal pilloried him in the Noli as the unscrupulous, one-handed character whose god was Mammon.

When Barrantes published a series of articles on the Tagalog theater in a Barcelona jOllrnal, La Ilustracion ATtistica) Rizal dashed off one of his sadrical essays for the Soli in the form of an open letter to "His Excellency, Don Vicente Barrantes."

How could Barrantes dare to write about the Tagalog theater when he understood Tagalog but imperfectly, knew very little of Philippine history, and was ignorant of Chinese and Japanese plays-let alone of the Tagalog theater?

"Barrantes is so stupid and ignorant that I believe one does not have to break his head in order to refute his arguments," wrote Rizal to Blumentritt who was also planning to refute Barrantes. "Recently, he published his Teatro Tagalog and has committed phenomenal errors. I think I'm losing time correcting his worst mistakes-and he is one of the academicians, one of the historians! May God protect me! Truly, I had a better idea of Spanish academicians! He's not only stupid but malicious as well, and perhaps even more! I'm afraid that when he reads your article he might die of rage and shame.

This 'would be a great loss in my zoological garden-he's one of the best examples of reptiles or hippopotamuses. Only I do not like your having called him Pag Diwata; truly, this is too much honor for him and too humiliating for the ancient Diwatas. Barrantes is solely called Barrantes," As if the triumvirate of Retana, Feced, and Barrantes, were not enough, the opposing camp made use of Dona Antonia Rodriguez de Ureta, a Spanish woman and former ~hnila resident, to sign an article attacking Rizal. What could he do?

She was notorious, but influential with some prominent Island

POLITICAL PROPHECY officials, and to engage her in a public argument would have meant a loss of prestige. He could only maintain a dignified silence, but he doubled his efforts in combating the others.

Rizal was an indefatigable contributor to the Soli during the next two years, sending all sorts of articles, poems, and refutations of arguments advanced by Spanish writers-all full of bitter irony and biting sarcasm. In the essay, "The Philippines A Century Hence," he displayed an amazing knowledge of the principles of political science and history with reference to his own country-with such a clarity of vision that his predictions really have all come true. He erred only in one respect: instead of taking a hundred years, his prophecy was fulfilled within a decade!

"The Philippines will remain Spanish," he predicted, "if it be given the life of law and civilization, if the rights of its inhabitants are respected, if the other rights due it are granted (freedom of the press and a representation in the Cortes) , and if the liberal policy of the government is carried out without trickery or meanness, without subterfuges or false interpretations.

"If what we desire is not realized? ..

"History does not record in its annals any lasting domination exercised by one people over another of a different race, of diverse usages and customs, of opposite and divergent ideals.

One of the two races has to yield and succumb ...

"If the population of the Philippines is not assimilated by the Spanish nation, if the conquerors do not enter into the spirit of their inhabitants, if just laws and free and liberal reforms do not make each one forget that they belong to different races, or if both peoples do not unite to constitute one mass, socially and politically, SOME DAY THE PHILIPPINES WILL FATALLY AND INFALLIBLY DECLARE ITSELF INDEPENDENT. Neither Spanish patriotism nor the love of all the Filipinos for Spain, nor the dangers of dismemberment and strife in the Islands themselves will avail against this law of destiny."

THE GREAT :MALAYAN What would happen if the Philippines were to secure her independence? Here his observations and studies of foreign countries during his travels supplied him with the answer: "If the Philippines secures her independence after heroic . and stubborn conflicts, she can rest assured that not England, nor Germany, nor France, and still less Holland, will dare take up what Spain has been unable to hold. .. Perhaps the great American Republic, whose interests lie in the Pacific and which has had no hand in the division of Africa, may some day dream of foreign possessions. This notion is not impossible, for the example is contagious."

Political transformation in the Islands, he observed, "will be violent and fatal if it proceeds from the ranks of the people, but peaceful and fruitful if it emanates from the upper classes."

How prophetic are these words in the light of later events! Rizal belonged to the upper class of the Filipinos, the intelligentsia, who preferred a gmdual and peaceful emancipation through reforms. On the othey hand, we have Andres Bonifacio, a stevedore from the ranks of the people, who formed the Katipunan that raised the standard of armed revolt against Spain.

Again, he observed: "Very likely the Philippines will defend with valor the liberty secured at the price of so much blood and sacrifice." Once the Spanish yoke was removed, did not the Filipinos struggle valiantly against American domination? It took the great American Republic three years, millions of dollars, and thousands of lives of her soldiers before she was able to subjugate completely the Filipinos. .

A year later, Rizal dealt with the oft-repeated charge that the Filipinos are lazy and good for nothing. In. "The Indolence of the Filipino," also written for the Soli) he analyzed the reasons for his countrymen being indolent. The science of anthropogeographi had just been founded in Leipzig by one of his former professors, Frederich Ratzel, and Rizal was eminently 1 A word of Greek origin meaning .t he relationship of m an to his physical 路environment.

INDOLENCE OF THE FILIPINOS

171

fitted to analyze the shortcomings of his paisanos from this socioeconomic-political point of view.

"Indolence in the Philippines," Rizal pointed out, "is a chronic malady, but not a hereditary one. The Filipinos have not always been what they are; and the witnesses to this fact are all the historians of the first years after the discovery of the Islands."

The constantly decreasing encouragement given to labor in the Philippines contributed to [oster the evil and aggravate it, he reasoned. The indifference of the government itself toward everything in commerce and agriculture contributed not a little to foster indolence . To this lack of material inducement the absence of moral stimulus was added. Gambling, inherent in adventuresome and excitable races like the Malay, was encouraged. Religion fastened its deadening hold on the people, entertaining them ,,,,-ith religious functions, fiestas , novenas) and processions. The curates preached that it was "harder for a rich man to go to heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle." So a gTeat many of the natives philosophized-why work to get rich? They all wanted to go to heaven.

"From his birth until he sinks into his gi-ave, the training of the native is brutalizing, depressive, and anti-human," he wrote. "The very limited training in the home, the arbitrary and barren system of education in the few centers of learning, the blind subordination of the youth to persons of maturer age, influence the mind so that a man may not aspire to excel those who preceded him, but must be merely content to go along with or march behind them. Stagnation naturally results from this tradition; and as he who devotes himself merely to copying divests himself of other qualities suited to his own na.ture, he naturally becomes unproductive-hence, decadent. Indolence is a corollary derived from the lack of stimulus and of vitality."

The native, with his spirit molded by the Church, falls into a pernicious routine of life which is not planned, but im-

THE GREAT MALAYAN posed and forced. Convinced by his education, the Filipino allows himself to be guided by his fancy and his self-love-with disastrous results. His national sentiments are stifled, bringing another evil; the absence of all opposition to measures prejudicial to the people and the lack of any initiative in whatever may redound to its good.

"The Europeans themselves, who reproach the natives of the colonies so much-and I am not now speaking of the Spaniards, but of Germans and Englishmen themselves-how do they live in tropical countries? Surrounded by a princely retinue of servants, never going on foot but riding in a carriage, needing servants not only to take off their shoes for them, but even to fan them! And yet they live and eat better, they work for themselves to get rich, with the hope of a future, free and respected; while the poor native, the indolent native, is underfed, has no hope, toils for other people, and works under force and compulsion! Perhaps the answer to this remark will be that white men are not made to stand the severity of the climate.

A mistake! A man can live in any climate, if he will only adapt himself to its requirements and conditions."

Yes, indeed, the Filipino is an indolent creature. But"who is the indolent person in the Manila offices? Is it the poor clerk who comes in at eight o'clock in the morning and leaves at one in the afternoon with only his parasol, who copies and writes and works for himself and for his chief, or is it the chief who comes in a carriage at ten o'clock, leaves before twelve, reads his newspaper while smoking with his feet stretched .out on a chair or a table, and gossips about all his friends?

Who is more indolent, the native coadjutor, underpaid and illtreated, who has to visit all the indigent sick living in the countryside, or the friar-curate who gets fabulously rich, goes about in a carriage, eats and drinks well, and does not put himself to any trouble without collecting excessive fees?"

Thus did a Filipino, taking up the cudgels in the defense

SPAIN OR INDEPENDENCE? of tropical peoples, p.uncture for all time the myth of the indolence of tropical natives.

Blumentritt jumped into the fray, taking the side of the paisanos. His pen was a valuable support to the cause. For an outsider, a scholar, to side with the Filipinos was something of a victory for them. His appearance in the columns of the Soli strengthened their prestige. The credit was entirely due to Rizal, who had won over to their side such an intellectual champion as the Leitzmeritz professor. To win over Blumentritt was not easy. Rizal told Jose Alejandrino a year later in Brussels: "It was the most difficult and most serious argument that I have ever sustained and will perhaps sustain, because of the scientific knowledge and culture of my opponent." Their last political controversy occurred while Rizal was in London, when Blumentritt advanced the opinion that the interests of the Philippines should be subordinated to those of Spain in the best interests of the State.

I do not agree with your amiable explanation for the reasons of the state (he wrote.) I suppose the well-being of a country should be subordinated to the interests of the state, as you say; but this is valid only when the country forms an integral part of the state, for the happiness of each unit, and when the country can be found within the nation.

This is not the case with respect to the Philippines. The Philippines is not Spain, it only belongs to Spain; the happiness of Spain is not the happiness of the Philippines, but its misfortune. Here we do not speak of the interests of the state, but only of Spanish domination. Spain existed and was more powerful before possessing the Philippines. Our domination is merely a name; they want to sacrifice our well-being for Spanish pride, and you will pardon me if I am not in accord with this view.

Furthermore, colonies should be had only when there's too much culture and people at home, and then one is obliged to ask for the happiness and well-being of the colonies. Nobody should go to a neighbor'S house and subordinate the well-being of the neighbor to his own interests-this would be vicious-

THE GREAT MALAYAN this would be governing through force . . If a colonizing nation cannot make happy its colonies, it should abandon or give them their freedom. Nobody has the right to cause harm to others. 'l\Te did not call the Spaniards; they came and told our ancestors, "'l\Te came here to be friends with you-we will help each other-recognize our King, pay him a small tribute, and we will defend you against your enemies."

In those days they did not talk about taking away our lands. The friars spoke about heaven and promised all kinds of things. To certain natives they did not mention the tribute, only friendship and commerce. And now you want us to abandon the well-being of the Philippines for a high sounding name?

I cannot understand why a brown-complexioned peasant cannot be the owner of the soil as much as the European. His work makes them both equals. I will understand the reasons of state only when the Philippines can enjoy the same rights of sovereignt as Spain. Then its interests can be subordinated to the interests of the state, but not by the mere name of Spanish domination.

What could Blumentritt reply to such a well-reasoned argument? He surrendered in admiration to his Malay friend, and from that time he was heart and soul with the plans of the paisanos.

Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, unable to stand any longer the atmosphere of suspicion and distrust in Manila, abandoned his government position and left for Paris that summer.

"Life in the Philippines," he told Rizal, "is becoming impossible."

"Why?" inquired Jose.

"For one thing, they wanted to search my house and would have confiscated my books had I not left immediately. I really believe," he added confidentially, lowering his voice, "that if conditions do not improve in less than ten years, a great revolution will break ou t."

If Pardo, a peaceful and conservative man, could utter such startling words-there must have been a great deal of

HONEST CRITICISM WANTED

175

truth in them! And, strange to say, Pardo's prophecy was fulfilled to the last letter!

By OClober the final proofs of the book on Morga were ready. Regidor had disappointed Rizal for, at the last minute, he had withdrawn his offer to share the cost of the printing, and then Jose had to bear all the expenses.

Blumentritt had gladly consented to write the preface to this edition of Morga. Ri7.al made only one plea as the annotator: "My most vehement petition is': write the preface as if you didn't like me or as if you had never known me. Criticize what you don't like; praise what you find well. I want to give an example to my country-I do not write for myself or for glory, but for my country, and that is why I prefer the truth to fame. God grant that my countrymen also sacrifice their passions in the interests of the nation! God grant that they do not seek their well-being in honors, employments, harvests, adulation, but in the virtues which distinguish and adorn free countries. Because of this I pray you: not a single friendly word for me-not a eulogy for the authorbut let all be for the country which has suffered so much under the Spanish yoke but always with the hope that some day it will be redeemed."

Rizal fully warned Blumentritt of the dangers of coupling the latter's name with his. Henceforth, reaclionary Spaniards would hate the name of Blumentritt as much as Rizal's. "You know that Spaniards are a churlish people to their enemies," he warned. "You will find in the arena only mud and dirt; laurel trees do not gTOW in my country; and he who must fight against reptiles and worms has to descend to the muck and dirt, because reptiles live there. That is why if you find a good opportunity to retire, do so; it pains me to see you involved in this stupid controversy. There's no honor in it, only headaches, repugnance, and hatred towards humanity. My country cannot express its gTatitude because it is mute."

THE GREAT MALAYAN Blumentritt had lambasted Quioquiap-should he take this occasion to let loose another blast against the minion of the friars?

"I do not want to see the name Quioquiap in my book," replied Rizal, "because it is too small compared with that of Morga. " If in a dignified work we mention that name, we concede an honor it does not merit; we would be conceding it too much importance."

Blumentritt made a final plea for compromise: why try to antagonize the Spaniards-why not treat them as brothers?

"If the Spaniards do not like to have us for brothers, neither do we want to have their affection-we do not beg for the alms of their brotherhood," came the immediate reply.

"I am convinced you love us very much, and not a whit less the well-being of Spain; but we do not solicit the compassion of Spain; we do not want compassion-but justice! All our efforts lead towards the education of our country; education, education, and education. We do not 'want fraternity which is like alms granted by Spanish pride. You would like to see the entire world in an embrace, through love and intelligence; but I doubt if the Spaniards would like this."

Before the end of the year, the annotated edition of Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was finally published. As in the case of the Noli) Rizal mailed complimentary copies to friends and foes alike. The bulk of the copies destined for the Philippines, he sent to Basa in Hongkong, for 'surreptitious entry into Manila through travelers and members of ships' crews.

He also sent copies to Barcelona, to be reshipped from that port to :M anila in order to allay the suspicion of customs authorities; his friend, Manuel Arias y Rodriguez, owner of the bookshop "Agencia Editorial," took care that the packages got through the customs. He sent the few remaining copies of the Noli to a bookseller in Hamburg, Germany, for distribution to overseas readers.

NELLY BOUSTEAD Much of .his leisure time was spent with Luna, the Taveras, and Ventura. Ariston Bautista and Jose Albert, medical students, had recently arrived in time for the exposition, and Rizal undertook to show them around.

Once, while walking down the street, a group of street urchins, noticing the brown complexion of the paisanos} cried in a taunting manner: "Chinois-chinois-chinois!"

Ordinarily, Rizal would have paid them little attention.

But he had stood about as much as he could from greedy Parisian landladies, and now for a bunch of dirty brats to call them names! He turned around and hissed back: "Prussiens!"

The boys stood open-mouthed until the Filipinos had left the street.

The paisanos in Paris, including Rizal, were fond of dropping in at 3 Rue des Bassins, where the Boustead family resided, partly because the family considered itself as Filipino, although nominally British citizens and of French extraction, and partly because of the presence of two attractive daughters, Adelina and Nelly.

Aside from being prettier than Adelina, Nelly was the more popular of the two because of her vivacious nature. She possessed a pair of merry eyes and an infectious smile. She was somewhat of a tomboy, and did not consider it beneath her dignity as a young lady to seize the foil and fence a round or two with the Luna brothers, the Taveras, or Rizal. On Sundays, during the summer and in the early fall, they would go on a picnic to the Bois de Boulogne, Toinville, Versailles, or some other nearby woods.

Antonio Luna had fallen madly in love with Nelly, who, however, showed preference for the company of Rizal. With characteristic frankness, Luna approached Rizal and asked him point-blank if he loved Nelly. Jose, of course, as in the case of Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, denied he had any such intentions.

In fact, he encquraged Antonio to woo Nelly, explaining that

THE GREAT MALAYAN he was engaged to a girl back home, not to mention the patriotic task he had set out for himself.

When Nelly continued to seek the company of Jose, Antonio became jealous. Was his friend turning traitor? Classes started at the Central University in October. Antonio had no time to thresh out the matter with Jose, but had to return to Madrid for his classes in pharmacy, in company with the other members of the Indios Bravos. All during that autumn the younger Luna tortured himself with the question: Does Nelly love me? After Christmas, he wrote to Rizal: "I would like you to give me some news about Nelly. I ask it of you as a friend and a countryman. Does she still care for me? I have heard nothing of her since November '16. I wrote to her twenty days ago. Write to me frankly, because I wish to :find out if I'm being ridiculous in believing sincerely in a love which no longer exists. This would be ridiculous-something I do not want to happen ... " Poor Antonio! Nelly cared for him-but only as a friend.

However, he was young and the girls in :M adrid were as pretty as anywhere else. A clash he had with one of the paid hirelings of the friar corporations div'e rted his mind temporarily from thoughts of love.

A Spanish writer, under the pseudonym of Mir Deas, published an article in the Barcelona periodical, Pueblo Soberano) accusing Taga-ilog-whom he mistook for Juan Lunaas a filibusterer, an ingrate, and a loathsome being. Aside from this personal insult, Mir Deas also cited paragraphs from Caiiamaque, another Spaniard in NIanila, in which the Filipinos were painted in the filthiest manner. This was an insult not only to an individual but also to the race.

Only one course was open to a gentleman. Antonio wrote a letter to Nelly, hinting at vague farewells, and to Rizal he bade: "Good-bye, if some misfortune befalls me, tell Nelly1 ask this of you as a favor-how much I loved her."

The paisanos in Madrid warmly seconded Antonio's plan to chal-

LUNA NEARLY FIGHTS A DUEL

179

lenge Mir Deas to a duel; somehow, they managed to raise the necessary funds to defray the expenses of Luna's trip to Barcelona.

Once in Barcelona, in the middle of November, Antonio spent an anxious week .going from one cafe to another in search of Mir Deas. He knew neither the identity nor the residence of the writer; he was in a quandary, for the editors of the Pueblo Soberano, smelling the purpose of his inquiries, gave evasive answers. Meanwhile, another insulting article by Mir Deas appeared in El Diluvio. Antonio redoubled efforts to locate the author.

On the afternoon of November 16th, Luna finally caught up with Mir Deas in the Cafe de la PajaTeTa. "Are you the person who writes under the pseudonym of Mir Deas?" demanded Luna.

"Yes;" said the Spaniard, looking somewhat puzzled at the fierce, brown-complexioned gentleman standing before him.

"You're a damnable coward and a crook!" roared Antonio with sudden vehemence. Then he spat into the seated man's face, flung a calling card on the table, turned on his heel, and left. The cafe was thrown into an uproar. The clash had not lasted more than a couple of seconds, and the incident took many of the cafe's customers by surprise.

"And now I'm waiting for his seconds to call on me," wrote Antonio to Rizal, relating the incident. "However, I'm not sure if he's capable of doing this. I'm waiting in peace. The series of insults he has heaped on us, without answering our affirmations and conclusions, leaves us no other course. Let it be unto death, or by luck, or as he wishes it-I shall accept the challenge. In this manner I think we can show that we Filipinos have greater dignity, greater valor, and greater honor than this cringing, cowardly, and insulting dog who has crossed our path. I believe that in this way I have satisfied our injured dignity. What, now, can they say?"

180

THE GREAT MALAYAN

The enemy camp remained tongue-tied. But Mir Deas took a characteristic step: not only did he fail to send his seconds, but instead denounced to the police that the Filipinos were circulating books 'w ithout printing the place of publication -a penal offense. The police made a s!ldden visit to Ponce's house, ransacked the place, but found nothing incriminating.

Tired of waiting for ~1ir Deas to act, Luna a fortnight later submitted the incident to a Tribunal of Honor composed of members of the Press Syndicate of Barcelona. The incident was eventually forgotten, but from that time on Mir Deas became known to the Filipinos as Mier-Das. The publication of the Morga had completely depleted Rizal's financial resources. As usual, he rationed out the few francs he had left, living as cheaply as he could, until the next remittance from Paciano. Once, he received a draft for P200 from some patriotic friends in the Islands; the accompanying letter did not indicate to whom the money should go.

"The money is evidently in tended for you," commented Baldomero Roxas.

"No," replied Rizal. "This money is for propaganda work to further our national cause-and therefore belongs to the Solidaridad."

"But shouldn' t even a part of it go to you?" insisted Roxas.

"No-the Soli needs it more than I do."

Rizal forwarded the draft to the Soli in Spain. Roxas could only admire his friend's uprightness. He was so honest, thought Roxas, he leaned backwards.

To economize as much as possible, because of the skyhigh rents, Rizal and Jose Albert roomed with Capitan Justo Trinidad, an exile who had been connected with an abortive uprising of native guards in l\1anila. Their quarters were cramped, but they had no other choice-what kind of a room could they expect for 25 francs a month?

Capitan Justo told them why he had left the Islands. Rizal violently disagreed with him. "That's what is wrong with most

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181

of you( chided Rizal. "You run away when persecutedwhat kind of reformists are you if you flyaway at the first sign of danger?"

When Christmas came, they decided to celebrate the day in style. They scraped up enough money among them to buy a plump Parisian poulette) some rice, and vegetables. The poulette was roasted to a mouth watering brown. The friends , long accustomed to scanty meals, ate their fill that Christmas day.

Shortly after New Year, Rizal made a flying visit to London for some unknown reason. Did he want to compare his finished edition of Morga with the original? Or had Gertrude's affection become an opiate which he found vital to his life of an exile, devoid of any romantic attachments? When he returned to Paris in the middle of January, he was tormented by headaches. An epidemic of influenza was rampant on the Continent, but fortunately he did not catch it.

"Only a headache for a few minutes," he complained to Blumentritt, "but no fever or illness. Thank God! A sickness of mine would cause my enemies to declare jubilantly that this (illness) was a punishment from God, because I am a soand-so. Of course, I laugh at them-what they say is blasphemy. It was said that Padre Faura told Pardo de Tavera when the latter informed him that I was ill: 'It cannot be otherwise-a man like him has to die!' Yes, I have to diebut so has Padre Faura. It is not fitting that a Jesuit like Padre Faura should say sllch stupidities."

CHAPTER XI N JANUARY 28, 18 90 , Rizal and Albert left Paris for Brussels. The cost of living in the Belgian capital, so they heard, was much lmver than in Paris in the midst of an International Exposition. Friends in Madrid, hearing of Rizal's departure, jokingly accused him of running away from love for the second time, although in reality it was his impoverished situation that caused him to change residence.

To commemorate fittingly their arrival in a new country, the two friends decided to celebrate by having dinner in the best cafe in Brussels specializing in seafood, similar to Prunier's in Paris. They ordered langoustines or lobsters, considered as the dish of gourmets in Europe, and some beer which Rizal had grown fond of ever since his stay in Germany.

The lobsters were served in their shells. Our friends, who had never eaten such food abroad, wondered how they would eat it. Beside their plates ,vere long forks, resembling N eptune's trident. For a few embarrassing minutes they fiddled around with their napkins and sipped their beer. How would they eat the confounded things? With their fingers-oh, no!

They were too proud to make a mistake in such a fashionable cafe, or to ask the gar~on for instructions. Fortunately, a customer at a nearby table also ordered lobsters, and they saw him use the long fork to spear the contents from the shell.

Rizal and Albert looked at each other. Then they burst out laughing-eating langoustines in the civilized manner was as simple as that!

A modest two-story boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, run by the Jacoby sisters, became their residence in Brussels. Albert left after a short time, but another student took his place-Jose Alejandrino, a tall Pampango student of civil engineering.

O

182

ECONOMY IN BRUSSELS Life in Brussels, Rizal found, was almost as cheap as in Barcelona; however, the Belgian capital was more beautiful and its buildings were more impressive and artistic.

Rizal passed his time assisting at the local clinic, to keep up his practice of medicine, and, every other day, went to the gymnasium to keep in trim with calisthenics or to a fencing master for a bout with foils, or practiced target shooting with a pistol. In the beginning, he shot - indifferently; but careful practice coupled with great patience, taught him to place the majority of his shots within the bullseye at twenty-five paces.

He was methodical in his target shooting; every month, he set aside a fixed sum for cartridges; then he would set aside a certain number of bullets for each practice. During their stay of half a year in Brussels, Alejandrino noticed Rizal never deviated from the number of cartridges to be used in practice-neither one more nor one less from the number he had set aside at the beginning.

Rizal was always devising new methods of econ<?my. They had been eating their meals at a restaurant; now Rizal proposed that they buy their food and cook it in the kitchen of the sisters.

"We shall eat pansi(." explained Rizal. "We spend so much a day-let's use that same amount to buy the necessary ingredients. " However, Rizal's calculations went awry, and they bought more pansit than they had expected to consume in one meal, and to remedy their error they had to eat pans it for breakfast, luncheon, and dinner for the next two days!

Noting that Rizal had brought with him his collection of literary, historical, and scientific books, Alejandrino once asked: "I see that you haven't got Larousse's encyclopedia-yet I've heard you speak very highly of it."

"I haven't bought the encyclopedia," said Rizal, "because in dealing with our race it says: 'It is an effeminate race, without virility or energy, that has allowed its nationality to be

THE GREAT MALAYAN extirpated without a struggle-its usages, customs, beliefs and even its language.' " " U nfortunately, this is true. If you don't think so, see how ashamed we are to talk in 01.-lr dialects, which many of our countrymen pretend they do not know. All races, including savages, have their type of beauty, but for us there is only one type that is beautiful: as near the Caucasian type as possible.

Our women, by means of whitewash and cosmetics, want to appear more or less white, forgetting that the beautiful color kayumanggi 1 also has its charms to those who are without prejudice.

I do not pretend that all which is ours is good, but we have a lot of things which with a few modifications cannot be excelled. .. I swear by my honor to consecrate my whole life, my energies, and my intelligence, even to shedding my blood, to have the Larousse collaborators change their opinion about us, and perhaps some day my name will appear in its pages in a way honorable to 0 r race."

Alejandrino had never been in the United S~ates and was deeply interested in the stories he had heard about that great republic. "What impressions do you have of America?" he asked.

"America," replied Rizal, "is the country of liberty par excellence) but only for the whites."

"But the liberation of the slaves and the foundation of the Liberian Republic, the first and only republic of colored people founded by the whites-do these not prove the altruism of the Americans?"

"It does seem that way on the surface, but after a study of the substance, it can be deduced that the liberation of the slaves was the consequence and not the object of the war of secession, and Liberia was founded to attract N egros to return to Africa and thus solve a problem vital to the interests of the United States."

1

A shade of brown.

LAND TROUBLES IN KALAMBA

185

A series of letters from home, which he received while in Brussels, worried him considerably. The land troubles of the Mercados with the administrator of the Dominican haciende. in Kalamba arose from a trivial cause. The lay-brother had always admired the flock of turkeys owned by Francisco Mercado 路who, out of courtesy and respect, had always presented him with the choicest in the flock. However, an epidemic killed all the turkeys except for a pair which was needed to build up the flock. 'Vhen Jose's father refused to donate one of the two remaining turkeys to the lay-brother, the latter flew into a rage and threatened: "You will pay for this!" A few days later the elder Mercado received a notice to the effect that the rent of the friar lands had been raised by one-third.

Understanding the motive behind the increase, Mercado paid the higher amount without a murmur. A few months later, the rent was again increased to twice its former amount on the pretext that the JVlercados had introduced machinery in milling the sugar and therefore secured a larger income from the products of the leased land. This was too much-and the elder Mercado refused to pay the rent.

A suit to dispossess the Mercados of the land was brought by . the Dominicans, something which Jose had hoped for, in order to question the friar's title to the land under controversy.

The Law of the Indies favored the poor tenants, but the friars claimed title through possession from time immemorial. In the beginning, Paciano was optimistic over the result of the suit, but changed his tune when he remembered that the friar's influence extended even to the tribunals of justice. From Binan residents, Paciano learned that the Dominicans had said he would not act in such a bull-headed manner if he had any pity for his aged parents. This was an indirect warning that persecution would fall upon the heads of the elder Mercados!

But Paciano was not daunted, although in the two years since his younger brother had last left the Islands his hair had turned white.

186

THE GREAT MALAYAN

The authorities dared not touch the immediate kin of Rizal, but did not spare his relatives. On Christmas day, 1889, while Manuel Hidalgo, Saturnina's husband, was having luncheon with his family, he was arrested by the guards and later deported for the second time to Bohol.

Adverse news about his family, and a total lack of any news from or about Leonor Rivera, filled Rizal with misgivings. - Of course, she was safe from the vengeance of the friars -but why hadn't he gotten any reply to the numerous letters he had been sending her these past two years? Could something ill have befallen her in Dagupan, where her parents had taken her, or-perish the thought-had she stopped loving him? He did not know that Tia Betang had bribed the town's postal clerk to withhold all letters to and from her daughter, thus raising terrible doubts in the minds of each of the lovers as to the constancy 0'ÂŁ the other. Tia Betang's principal reason for destroying the ro ance-because she did not want to see her daughter married to a persecuted man-was no reason at all in the eyes of Leonor. So the mother, with all the good intentions in the world, started a campaign of insinuation to discredit Rizal. Knowing Jose's great friendship for Dr. Blumentritt, she flatly came out with the information that the former was engaged to the daughter of the latter! Leonor did not know, of course, that little Dora had not even reached her 'teens-but a lover's heart is most susceptible to jealousy and the absence of any letters from Rizal shook her faith in him.

And at that very time, a young British engineer, engaged in supervising , the construction of the new railroad line from Bayambang to Dagupan, kept calling at the house of the Riveras with the intention of laying siege to Leonor's heart.

One ray of hope gleamed in all the news Rizal received from outside: the Spanish Parliament accepted the idea of granting seats to deputies from the Philippines. The liberal Sagasta was prime minister, and in charge of colonial affairs was Becerra, another liberal progressive. Thus Rizal wrote

AN ACADEMY IN KALAMBA to del Pilar that spring: "It would please me to see your name always appear, because I want to retire gradually; what I want is for you to succeed me" and no other, and that is the reason why I want you always to sign your name, "while I go into retirement. If we secure a deputy, I will retire and devote myself to educational work. I couldn't accept the position of deputy, although two of my ancestors on my mother's side have been deputies. (Don Jose Florentino and Don Lorenzo Alberto). I'm now far away from such things. My desire, therefore, is for you to get ready in case we succeed. If we are able to secure this, my ambition will have been fulfilled."

To Blumentritt he happily confided: "Yes, I believe the time is drawing near when I can return to the Philippines.

Once there, then you and your family can come and live with me. I have a large library. I will build a small house on top of a hill. Then I will devote myself to the sciences, I shall read and write history; I shall establish a school, and if you can stand the climate then you will be the Director. I am sure that all young people, the flmver and cream of the youth of the land, will come to us: Blumentritt and Rizal will remain in the memory of the Filipino people as Goethe and Schiller, like Horatio and Virgil ius, like the two H umboldts-in their respective countries. All these thoughts come to me, because Parliament has accepted favorably the idea of conceding deputies to Filipinos. Some day, when we have obtained this great step forward, then we shall rest and devote all our efforts to the education of the people, which is my supreme aspiration.

I believe that when we have a voice in Congress, abuses will not be committed so readily, and I shall have greater security in my country. I am confident that none of my countrymen of the same color will plot against me. If I am dreaming, or if I look too far into the future-only time will decide."

Alas for such dreams! Three months later, late in June, the Sagasta cabinet fell, and all the plans for reform in the Islands vanished into thin air.

188

THE GREAT MALAYAN

"Ah!" sighed Rizal. "Don't leave for tomorrow what can be done today! Beautiful words, beautiful words! but words, words, words! as Shakespeare said." , Persecutions against Rizal's family were intensified. One of his sisters, the most sensitive of all, became insane. They lost their case before the insular courts, and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court in Madrid. Jose forwarded the necessary papers to Ponce and del Pilar in Spain to take the steps needed in the defense of his family.

In Malolos, del Pilar's house was destroyed by fire of incendiary origin, and the ugly rumor arose that the town's curate, Plaridel's mortal enemy, was the guiding hand behind the fire.

Indignant townspeople promptly raised a public contribution of P2,OOO for del Pilar's family to build another home. The virus of rebellion against oppression and tyranny was fast spreading throughout the Island of Luzon.

Dreams haunted Rizal at night. Once, he dreamt he was back in Kalamba, seated before a table in the company of Blumentritt. He was furious because the servants had forgotten to serve wine, bread, and! other European dishes-and Blumentritt could not eat anything. "What will the professor say about our hospitality when he returns to Europe?" Rizal dreamed having said: "'!\That will he say about Filipino gratitl,lde?" Blumentritt was mutely distressed by the lack of care , ,a nd Rizal woke up tired and perspiring. shown by FilipinosThe room had been too warm.

"In my childhood, I had a strange belief that I would not reach thirty years of age," he told del Pilar. "I don't know why I thought this. For the past two months nearly every night I have dreamed about my dead friends and relatives.

Once, I even dreamed I descended a footpath which led to the bottom of the earth and there I met a multitude of people seated, dressed in white, with white faces, silent and surrounded by white lights. There I saw my two brothers, one of them already dead and the other one living. Although I don't be-

DESTINY CALLS TO MANILA lieve in these things and although my body is very strong and I have no illness, nevertheless I am preparing to die. I am putting in order all that I must leave behind. I am getting ready for any eventuality: Laong Laan is my true name."

In his waking hours, he had stifled all these fears and worries, but they all came back to haunt him once his iron will lost control over his consciousness in sleep.

The desire to return to the Philippines grew strong within him. What could be happening to Leonor-the woman he had moulded according to his ideals? And what could he do by remaining in Europe, except to 'write articles that were never read by .those in power in Spain who could effect the reforms he asked for, and that merely spurred Philippine authorities to commit further abuses and persecutions? They had pinned their hopes on Spanish liberals, like Sagasta, Becerra and Pi y Margall-but these men, sympathetic to their complaints while out of pm.ver, sOl1!lehow became too busy to pay any attention to them once entrenched in an official capacity. On the other hand, if he returned to the Islands ...

"I want to return to the Philippines although this might be rash and imprudent," he replied to Ponce, who counseled against his return. "Imprudent?-what does it matter? Filipinos are all very prudent, and that's why our country is as It IS. As it seems to me that we're not going well on the road of prudence, I'm going to seek another: who knows if truly that country is not a special one that must be governed by special laws? The only thing that can stop me is the objection of my parents. I have the duty not to disturb their last days.

In that case, I shall wait working to earn a living, in any part of the world."

All his friends-Blumentritt, his aunt Concha Leyva in Manila, and others-warned him not to return. The Leitmeritz professor advised him to go to Madrid instead, where he could render better service to his country and family.

THE GREAT :MALAYAN From Ponce in Barcelona came the report that Graciano Lopez Jaena wanted to leave for Cuba, because a cousin had failed to live up to the promise of supporting the impoverished founder of the Soli. Graciano did not have money for the proposed trip, but somehow managed to secure free passage from the colonial minister. Rizal was thoroughly opposed to Graciano's departure, never dreaming that one day he himself would plead to be sent to Cuba.

"Instead of going to Cuba to catch yellow fever," commented Rizal to Ponce, "he should go to the Philippines to be killed for defending his ideas. A person only dies once, and if he does not die well he loses a good chance which will not occur again. Let him resolutely defy danger and danger will flee; or at least, he will be a martyr to his ideas. I am opposed to his going to Cuba: it is futile. Cuba is exhausted; it is only the shell. If one has to die, let it be at least in his country, because of his country, and for his country."

Earlier, Ventura, a wealthy Pampango student, had suggested that Rizal accompany him on a tour of Germany and Central Europe. Rizal accepted the offer gladly, for he wanted to revisit the scenes of his previous tour with Viola but had been too poor to do so. Ventura had just been disillusioned in a love affair and wanted to get away from Paris, but when summer came Ventura excused himself from the trip. Although disappointed, Rizal did not mind. Brussels in the summer of 1890 was a very gay city. It was in a carnival mood: for many days there were parades with gigantic floats, typical of the Flemish-French celebrations He thoroughly enjoyed himself watching the crowds dressed in colorful costumes. Perhaps the fact that Belgium had once formed part of the Low C<?untries which secured independence from Spain centuries ago gave him fresh courage to face the future. If the Low Countries threw off the Spanish yoke-were the Filipinos less valiant than the Flemish people?

SUZANNE JACOBY He planned to leave Brussels by the end of July, at which time the celebration would end. At first, he was not sure where to go, to Manila or to Madrid. However, word reached him that his family had lost their case against the Dominicans.

Paciano appealed to the Supreme Court in Spain, and for'warded a power of attorney to Jose. Upon receiving this news Rizal felt he had to proceed to Madrid first, in order to supervise the handling of their case. Once the suit was, terminated, he would return to the Islands to face whatever the future would bring. ''I'm very confident that this time God will protect me," he told Blumentritt. "If the contrary happens, nothing will be lost-I prefer to give up my life for my own people rather than enjoy it here loafing. If I die, you will remain, and you will not abandon the Filipinos."

In the meantime, he had grown rather attached to the Jacoby sisters and their niece, Petite Suzanne. In common with the general run of jJaisanos he had learned how to prepare native dishes out of whatever could be obtained from the local market. He was a welcome visitor to the kitchen and his arroz valenciana 'was a favorite food with the Jacoby household. The younger of the two sisters, whom they called Tante (Aunt) Suzanne, was specially fond of-if not in love with-him. He was so charming and amiable, such a perfect gentleman that women felt attracted to him. Perhaps the fact that he kept himself under leash, restraining amatory impulses, .piqued his feminine friends and served to accentuate their interest. Instead of the hunter, he invariably became the hunted.

He would not stoop to the love affairs so commonly indulged by those of his sex, because his conscience would not permit s~ch temporary alliances. In his heart he was still faithful to Leonor.

Before the end of July he left for Madrid, stopping for a few days in Paris. Once in Spain, Suzanne Jacoby wrote to him in French: J

THE GREAT MALAYAN "Where are you now? Do you think of me once in a while?

I am reminded of our tender conversations, reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent. Here in your letter I have something which makes up for -your absence. How pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are always present in my thoughts.

You wish. me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a beloved one a tender heart cannot feel happy.

A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am sad, lonely, always alone with my thoughts -nothing, absolutely nothing, relieves my sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I want and desire most ardentlyyou cannot refuse me.

I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast when it carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together again.

I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.

Goodbye! Yell;;!, kno~ with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you going to write to me? She who wishes to protect you from all harm.

SUZANNE T.

As Suzanne foretold, once III :Madrid a thousand things absorbed Rizal's attention.

He had barely settled down when word reached the Madrid colony that Pafiganiban had died in Barcelona. Pafiganiban had always been sickly, but two months before his death, he had been beaten up rather badly by an enraged husband. It was a pity that one so valuab,le to their patriotic mission should die so young. The paisanos mourned his death and raised a subscription among themselves for his funeral. Rizal wrote in the Soli: "What Pafiganiban should cry, even from the bosom of his tomb, is the thought that he died without fulfilling the high mission for which his exceptional ability destined him; the thought that he died without having given his blood and all his thoughts to the noble cause which he had just embraced."

r

â&#x20AC;˘

'" (Courtesy Trinidad Ri=al)

SUZANNE JACOBY

With Dr. Jose Albert, Rizal roomed at the house of the Jacoby sisters in Brussels, Belgium. When he left for Madrid, she wrote: "In the absence of a beloved one a tender heart cannot feel happy."

A DUEL WITH LUNA

193

The month of August had not terminated when Rizal found he had a duel on his hands, with-of all people-Antonio Luna! In one of their social gatherings, the latter, having drunk too much wine and being still jealous of Rizal, uttered a disparaging remark about Nelly Boustead. Rizal immediately challenged him to a duel, though knowing very well that Luna was his superior in wielding the sword. Rizal was undoubtedly the better pistol shot, but Luna, as the one challenged, had the choice of weapons. Once sober, however, the younger Luna realized he had made an ass of himself and proferred his apologies to Rizal, who immediately accepted them.

Mutual friends pointed out that such a duel would have caused great rejoicing in the enemy camp, and a repentant Luna authorized the paisanos to bind and gag him should he ever get drunk again in one of their weekly reunions.

Together with del Pilar and Dominador Gomez, Rizal called on the Minister of Colonies in order to protest against recent events in Kalamba. However, as one of the Madrid liberal papers noted: "To cover the ears, open the purse, and fold the hands-this is the Spanish colonial policy."

Blumentritt urged Rizal to present their case before the Queen-surely, she would listen to reason and an appeal for justice from her overseas subjects. But who were they to see Her Majesty? They were as poor as the proverbial country mouse and they lacked gold to grease the palms of courtiers and officials.

After having tasted student life in France and Germany, Rizal was against sending young Filipinos to Spain for their education. In England, France, Belgium, or Switzerland, a student could learn more from the classroom and the people than either in Madrid or in Barcelona; furthermore, a young student in any of these two Spanish cities was exposed to the gambling vice rampant among the members of the colony.

Elderly visitors, like Don Florentino Torres and Felipe Roxas,

THE GREAT MALAYAN complained about this and advised parents in Manila not to send their children abroad.

From Paris and Brussels, Rizal had constantly preached against the twin vices of gambling and lust in letters to friends and acquaintances in :M adrid and Barcelona. He encouraged the Indios Bravos to take up fencing as a profitable means of recreation, and the colony held regular jousts to improve their style. Upon arrival in :Madrid, he continued dispensing advice, and some of the paisanos resented it. It was bad enough, they thought, to have Rizal preach in his letters; but for him to do so personally made it more unbearable. His reproaches hurt more than they dared admit because all that he said was true.

Besides, who wants to listen to a perpetual sermon on the same topic? They resented his words and sought to avoid him, without understanding his consuming passion of love for country and the subjection of earthly pleasures to that end. Among themselves, they had called Rizal by his nickname of "Pepe," which they now facetiously changed around to "Papa," which in Spanish means Pope.

That autumn Retana, who had been active writing articles for metropolitan newspapers in defense of the government of Weyler, in addition to editing a friar-subsidized periodical, "La Politica de Espana en Filipinas," published an article derogatory to the good name of Filipino women. Incensed, each of the paisanos wanted to challenge him to a duel. Obviously, only one could do it and so they held a meeting in the cafe at the Plaza de Santa Ana, and listed the best dozen shots in the colony. Lots were drawn and Lauro Dimayuga, an intrepid Batangueno, won the draw. Apacible and Rizal were named the seconds, and as such they immediately consulted the Marques de Heredia, a duelling expert, as to the procedure to be followed. The marquis read the article and thought that they had no ground on which to challenge Retana, inasmuch as duels originate from a personal insult and not from an opinion

RETANA LEARNS TO RESPECT

195

about a group of women in general printed in a newspaper by ~ !~~, a journa.list.

"Let's not say anything to Dimayuga about this," suggested Rizal. "Let's invite him instead to breakfast."

Early the following morning, Apacible and Rizal called on Dimayuga, whom they found asleep in bed. Thinking that they had come to escort him to the field of honor, Dimayuga got up and started dressing feverishly. Not until then did they tell him that the duel was all off. Dimayuga was so disappointed he threw them ont of the house and would not speak to them for a month.

Retana had the imprudence, however, of publishing an- . other article in the newspaper La EjJoca, claiming that Rizal's family had not paid their rents to the Dominicans. This time Retana had gone too far. Less than twenty-four hours after the newspaper appeared in the streets, Retana was faced with the seconds of Rizal. One of the latter's seconds explained: "Mr. Rizal does not worry if he's personally attacked-he's a fighter and knows what to expect-but he won't tolerate having his family mixed in it. .. " An apology and a printed retraction followed, and the matter was satisfactorily settled. .

Manuel Scheidnagel, a former army official who had been in the Islands and was one of Retana's seconds, later told his friend: "I was worried about your going to the field, because I understand that Rizal is an expert shot and is completely cool under fire."

The incident served to silence Retana. Gradually, he developed a secret admiration for his former adversary. When Spain lost the Philippines, he sadly realized that the Islands would not have sided with the Americans had the reforms Rizal asked for been granted. Too late he cursed his former masters, and in reparation wrote the first biography of the greatest of the Malays.

THE GREAT MALAYAN As the months passed, bad news came to Jose with discouraging regularity.

In Kalamba, the natives had pinned their hopes on the Spanish provincial governor, Don Juan Mompeon, to shield them from the wrath of the friars. When officials told General Weyler that an insurrection was brewing in Laguna, Mompeon had declared that if a rebellion broke out he would pay for his confidence with his head. Pressure was brought to bear on l\10mpeon who, like other would-be liberals before him, was forced to take drastic measures to protect himself. He summoned Paciano, Silvestre Ubaldo, Mateo Elejorde, the local apothecary, ~nd eighteen other tenants who had refused to pay rent to the Dominicans. He accused them of filibustering, and when they protested he had them arrested immediately. Early in September, Paciano, Ubaldo, Elejorde, Antonino Lopez and a certain Dandoy, all relatives or ardent admirers of Rizal, were deported to the desolate island of Mindoro. The aged Mercado couple were forced out of their home, and had to seek shelter with their eldest daughter, Saturnina.

Paciano, his sisters, and the rest of the family who always bore the name of Mercado now changed their name to that of Rizal. Henceforth, the name of Rizal was their badge of defiance to the authorities! Not a murmur rose among the family against Jose for having brought down the persecution upon their heads. On the contrary, Paciano was braver in exile than at home. The blow had fallen-the die was cast!

Early in December Rizal received the worst blow of allLeonor was getting married to another man! That autumn while attending a play in the Teatro Apollo with some friends, he had lost his gold watch chain together with a locket which contained the picture of Leonor. "Perhaps this loss of her picture is a forerunner of something more terrible to come," he had said, half jokingly. Now, after nearly two years of complete silence, came the letter announcing her marriage to an Englishman named Henry Kipping. It was a thunderbolt,

LEONOR BECOMES MRS. KIPPING

197

leaving him stunned and miserable. Leonor had given in to her mother's demands and promised to marry Kipping. In return, she was permitted to write a final letter to her beloved Jose.

For days after receiving Leonor's letter, he walked like a man in his sleep. One afternoon, he went to visit Galicano Apacible. The latter immediately noticed that something was 'wrong with him.

"What is the matter?" asked Apacible.

For an answer, Rizal took a letter from his pocket and handing it to Galicano, said: "There you have, Canoy, the letter of Leonor. .. She's getting married ... " "To whom?" asked Apacible, taken by surprise. As a boyhood friend, from the time they lived together in Antonio Rivera's house, he had known of their romance.

"To an Englishman!"

Apacible read the letter. She clearly revealed the great love she bore for Jose, and gently reproached him for his silence. To console Rizal, Apacible attempted to pass off the whole thing as of no importance, and teasingly remarked: "Bah, man, how many women are there in the world-why don't you marry the daughter of Pi y Margall who loves you very much?"

"No," said Rizal. in a tone very tired and far away, "she ~ my only illus~!

And to think that I have edu~ated her to become my ideal companion!" ..

For the first and only time, Apacible saw furtive tears roll down Rizal's cheeks ....

f

~ -----

To his sisters in Kalamba, he wrote: "This is blow upon blow! And to think that I have educated her as my

~~."

;

Weeks passed before he could bring himself to confide in Blumentritt. Blumentritt had guessed that something was "VTong, judging from Rizal's ~ ew Year letter, and that some

THE GREAT MALAYAN woman was at the bottom of it. Cherchez la femme! 1 "My wife cannot understand how a woman whom Rizal had honored with his love can abandon him; she is angry with that girl.

I myself feel it very much, but only because of you; I know your heart aches, but you are one of the heroes who conquer pains caused by woman because you pursue a nobler aim. You have a brave heart and a nobler woman looks at you with love: your country. The Philippines is like one of those enchanted princesses in German tales who is the prisoner of an ugly dragon until a valiant knight frees her." "l\1y sweetheart," Rizal explained five months later, "who was faithful to me for more than eleven years, is going to marry an Englishman, a railroad engineer. Very well, the first blow of the railroad is on me; nevertheless, I prefer this progress to our previous condition. When I received the news I thought I would become mad, but that has passed and I have to smile, ~ecause I should not cry.

Oh, don't be surprised that a FIli-pmo woman has preferred the name Kipping to that of Rizal.

Don't wonder-an Englishman is a free man and I am not.

Enough. Let this be the last word!"

He rapidly lost weight, his ch.eeks grew hollow, and he became路 as slender as the bamboo of his native land. On the exterior, nevertheless, he tried to appear light-hearted and happy.

On December 23rd, the Filipino colony in Spain gave a banquet in honor of the former Colonial Minister, Senor Bet:erra. Morayta, as president of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina~ presided.

For some reason or other, Rizal did not attend.

Perhaps he was disillusioned by all these banquets for Spanish ex-officials who were so friendly to Filipinos only when they were but of office. Perhaps the distressing news about Leonor had sapped all his interest in such things. 'Most probably, as he confessed later in his death cell: "Conversations I had with prominent SpaniardS have turned me into a filibustero~ because 1

French for "Look for the woman."

( Courtesy on/domero R oxas)

1890 - 91 This photograph must have been taken at the time he had received news of Leonor's approaching marriage to Kipping. The autographed original is in the possession of Dr. Roxas.

RlZAL IN MADRID,

REFORMS OR INDEPENDENCE

199

they have made me desire the independence of my country.

When I was in Madrid, the Republicans told me that liberty was requested with bullets and not by kneeling down."

The Masonic lodge La Solidaridad) named after the periodical, spurred the Filipino patriots in their mission more than anything else in Spain. The lodge was headed by Morayta, a professor of history at the university, and members included Spanish liberals and reformists as well as Cubans, Porto Ricans, and other Latin Americans.

"You Filipinos are a bunch of cowards," mocked the Cubans and the Porto Ricans. "'Ve ask for independence-liberty or death! Yet, all you Filipinos want are reforms-you'll never get them!"

The paisanos were piqued by their taunts, but recognized the truth in them. Here they were, even more oppressed than the Cubans, and all they asked for was reforms-such as freedom of the press, righ~ to peaceful assembly and petition, and a representation in the Cortes. The explanation for the mildness in their political credo lay most probably in the fact that they all came from the bourgeois class. There were only two classes of Filipinos in the Islands at that time: the poor or peasant class, and the bourgeoisie composed of petty landowners and professionals. The latter had much more to lose than the fon~er in any social upheaval and were therefore for peaceful emancipation. Naturally, in a country as politically enslaved as the Philippines, the reforms they dreamed of seemed tremendous concessions which, to radical Cubans, appeared nothing more than trifles. Rizal had correctly analyzed this process in his "Indolencia," but like most thinkers he erred in believing that political transformation emanating from any other source except the upper class would be "fatal."

Henceforth, Filipinos in Spain became more daring in their political demands.

This issue to a minor degTee had repercussions when the question of leadership in the colony arose that winter-a con-

200

THE GREAT MALAYAN

troversy which split the ranks of the Filipinos and caused Rizal to leave "M adrid a bitterly disappointed man. The immediate cause was, in itself, trivial. But a kingdom has been lost because of a horseshoe, and the group of Filipinos in Madrid split into opposing factions for a seemingly petty reason-on half a dozen magnums of champagne.

It had been their custom to hold a New Year's eve banquet, ever since Rizal started the tradition seven years before. Instead of each member sharing alike in the cost of the banquet, the more wealthy and prominent members were asked to shoulder the burden. At a tea on the last day of December in the house of Dona Justa Jugo, a Filipino matron temporarily residing in Madrid, Rizal and del Pilar were present.

"I passed at your house," remarked the former to the latter, "and saw your companions in the Calle de Atocha draw up a plan asking you to pay for the food this evening."

"Accepted," said del Pilar with alacrity. Privately, he had planned to pay for the bottles of champagne which the paisanos had insisted on having that evening, and naturally was glad to escape with a lighter levy.

That evening, at the Cafe Habanero, the younger students circulated a petition which they did not allow either del Pilar or Rizal to read. After "some thirty guests had taken their places, a resolution prepared by Lete was introduced requesting del Pilar to pay for the dinner, Cunanan for the cigars, and Rizal with Dominador Gomez-who had not yet shown up-for the champagne. Del Pilar and Cunanan accepted, but Rizal protested and a discussion started. Del Pilar therefore proposed that two others, Modesto Reyes and Mariano Abella, should share the burden. The two gladly accepted.

Rizal, who was at the extreme left from the center of the table where del Pilar presided, did not hear the latter's suggestion and started passing the hat for a contribution of a peseta from each one to pay for the wine. At the other end, to the right, were the originators of the petition and others who pur-

CHAMPAGNE FIZZES

201

posely seated themselves away from Rizal because he had criticized their bohemian propensities.

In the midst of the bustle, one of the originators of the petition approached del Pilar to withdraw the petition. Del Pilar was worried. He knew how ticklish was the situation.

Rizal, who did not notice the attitude of those seated at the other end, continued chatting merrily. The hat reached the center of the table and stopped there, for nobody at the extreme right wanted to contribute a single centavo. Rizal was unaware of the sentiment against his refusal to pay for the champagne.

Those seated at the other end began to murmur against him.

Del Pilar rose and privately warned the discontented members not to spoil that fraternal reunion by petty bickerings. Peace reigned for the remainder of the evening.

Rizal delivered a speech, comparing present conditions with those when he first carne to Spain, and closed with a forceful plea for unity. H,e drew a parallel between the strength of iron and the weakness of air.

"Gentlemen," Rizal concluded, "I understand that under this situation individual liberty suffers, but Destiny wills it to be so. The more solid and compact are the members of a body, the more unified it becomes. The most powerful armies are those under strictest discipline. What does it matter, gentlemen, to sacrifice our liberties if the sacrifice is offered on the altar of our country? Those particles , which we bind are like the grains we keep to sow and later reap an abundant harvest. Gentlemen, let us affirm once more union and solidarity among ourselves. May the well-being of our country be our sole cause, and let us prove to the whole world that whenever a Filipino has willed, so has it been done."

Dr. Salvador del Rosario then offered a toast lamenting the tendency among paisanos to forsake their studies for the gay life. Tremendous applause greeted this toast. But Rizal, who thoroughly agreed with these views, loudly commented: "We should feel instead of applaud his words."

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This remark did not increase Rizal's popularity with those seated at the other end of the table. .

After the banquet, in the wee hours of the morning, the residents of the boarding house on Calle de Atocha held an impromptu meeting to criticize Rizal's behavior. This was the same group that had tried to avoid Rizal during the dinner.

They believed he was fond of imposing his ideas on others, that he was dictatorial, a hypocrite and a Puritan. A movement was then afoot to bind the colony into a single entity for the purpose of greater effectiveness in the struggle for redeeming their country. The proposal was to elect a leader, the "Responsable" who would become the undisputed and official representative or spokesman for the Filipinos abroad. Two counselors or assistants were also to be chosen to aid the "Responsable" in unifying all Filipinos outside the Islands. The plan, if it did not originate with Rizal, certainly met with his hearty approval for he strongly believed that such a body-because of its authoritative character-had better chances of securing concessions and reforms from Spain. Rizal knew he could become "Responsable" if he wanted to-he was undoubtedly the outstanding Filipino in Europe and the Islands. The resident路s of the boarding house on Calle de Atocha, to humble Rizal, decided to push the candidacy of del Pilar.

Del Pilar was apparently unaware of all this, and on awakening from a siesta that afternoon he was surprised to find out that his house companions had called for a meeting of the colony at 5 o'clock that same day.

"Half asleep and half awake," he later related, "I wondered at this sudden decision to call a meeting, and it occurred to me that the reason for this might be a trick on Rizal for the purpose of making him see that his leadership was not as certain as many had believed. That thought made me get up to fight the plan to name a leader, which was announced as a means of unifying the colony that was already unified. I sought adherents but all said that this was the best plan for unification.

ATTEMPT AT UNITY

20 3

On the other hand, I dared not voice my suspicion that their purpose was really to chastise Rizal, for lack of proof. At this moment, Rizal arrived surrounded by the persons who had initiated the movement with his support, and without giving me time to maneuver around, we started the session."

Eduardo de Lete introduced the plan at the meeting and proposed the selection of one among them to become the undisputed and unquestioned leader of the colony. It was then announced that Rizal supported the idea, and a general discussion followed.

Del Pilar, smelling a rat in the proposal, objected. "Every institution," he said, "every organization, has reason for existence only when it obeys an express necessity: what necessity will this new entity obey? For political purposes within the law, we have the Asociaci6n rIispano-Filipina~路 for purposes of propaganda we have another entity at our disposal with valuable support." He was referring to the newspaper SolidaTidad an9the Centro de Propaganda) an association formed in the Islands to enlist the moral and financial support of patriots.

However, del Pilar's arguments were brushed aside. Ponce believed del Pilar was right, but kept silent because he did not deem it an opportune time to voice opposition to the plan. A committee, composed of Julio Llorente, Rizal, and del Pilar, was named to draw up the statutes transforming the colony into a single entity under one head. Both Llorente and del Pilar agreed to have Rizal head the committee.

Once the statutes were finished, del Pilar came across a provision to which he strenuously objected. The article provided that the leader would have control over the politics of the colony and the editorial policies of the Solidaridad. He immediately called the attention of Rizal to this provision, claiming that the Soli was an entirely separate entity.

"Keep quiet," replied Rizal, "for at the end you will be elected chief, because my companions in the house and I will vote for you, and therefore this does not matter."

20 4

THE GREAT :M ALAYAN

Rizal really meant it. The hostile attitude of several members had not been lost on him, and to prevent a possible split he had previously announced to all that he was leaving soon.

Finally it was agreed to amend the provision so that the leader would have guidance over policies, and the Soli would be its official organ.

When the amended provision was read before the body, somebody asked if the words "official organ" meant that the Soli would be subordinated to the will of the leader. Del Pilar replied that the chief would have in the Soli a medium to publish his vie'Ys and official acts, but the newspaper would not be subservient to his will.

"And if the Solidaridad/' interposed Rizal, "publishes something which does n0t suit the interests of the colony, will the latter back up the views of the periodical?"

"Gentlemen," said Plaridel, "the Soli is disposed to lend all kinds of services to the colony and even to foreign entities so long as these treat of the well-being of the Philippines. What it cannot do is to abdicate its independence; and it cannot do so because it belongs to another eminently respectable entity, the Centro de PTopaganda, whose instructions are clear and do not permit subordinating it to any other group-unless I am informed otherwise. You can, therefore, even vote unanimously for the subjection of the newspaper, but if the newspaper does not wish to do so, your votes will lack validity."

The suggestion was received favorably, and Rizal announced that he would ask authority from the Centro to subject the newspaper to the will of the colony.

N ext in the agenda was the elections. There were only two candidates for "Responsable": Rizal and del Pilar. Both tried to withdraw their names from the nomination, but at the insistence of followers bowed to the inevitable. The test of strength and popularity between the two friends was on.

RIZAL'S PRIDE IS HURT

20 5

Followers of the two were soon called the Rizalistas and the Pilaristas.

In the first balloting, neither secured the necessary twothirds votes for 'election, although Rizal had a slight majority.

A second and third balloting took place-without breaking the deadlock. The meeting adjourned. Rizal then suggested to del Pilar that a third person be chosen to head the coalition, in order to prevent the formation of cliques. The latter fell in with the proposal, and they separated with utmost cordiality.

The meeting was to be continued on the following afternoon, the second of January.

The next day, del Pilar absented himself from the meeting, empowering Ponce to act in his behalf. The first balloting showed that the deadlock had not changed overnight. Earlier, among friends, Rizal had reiterated his desire to withdraw from the election, but they prevailed on him to remain; it was a matter of principle, they insisted, and Rizal's personal reputation was at stake. He had hoped that del Pilar in the interval might withdraw, but was hurt to find that this had not happened and the deadlock continued as unbreakable as ever.

Ponce, who had been given instructions by Plaridel to withdraw the latter's candidacy in the event the impasse continued, delayed in carrying out these orders and sought. a compromise.

He pulled Rizal aside and suggested the selection of a third person. But the matter had gotten out of hand, and the personal reputations of not only the two contestants but of their followers were at stake. Insidious ideas of "honor" had gained the ascendancy and prevented an amicable settlement.

In the meantime, Rizal boiled with impatience at all these machinations and "face-saving" activities. Without accepting or rejecting Ponce's proposal, he publicly announced he would leave Madrid soon to work alone, inasmuch as whenever there were two Filipinos, union ' was impossible.

Undoubtedly, Rizal had gotten wind of the plot against him. He knew that he had risked his popularity with some of

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them by his uncompromising at.titude on moral matters-but that they should scheme to humiliate him-this hurt deeply.

First, his family had lost their case before the Supreme Court; then, he had lost his sweetheart Leonor to an Englishman; and now, his own countrymen were turning against him. This last blow was the hardest of all to bear. What did it matter if his family were persecuted and if his sweetheart had turned false?

There was still his greatest love of loves-his country! Now, envious individuals were trying to take that last comfort away from him!

Was Plaridel involved in the plot to humiliate him? He was not sure. At the bottom of his heart, he knew that the great Plaridel would not consciously stoop to such a thing.

Why, then, should del PilaT allow himself to be used? He suspected that Lete was the evil genius behind the movementLete, who had miserably failed to fill Rizal's shoes and instead had nearly wrecked the colony on the racial issue-Lete had hatched the plot to pit del Pilar against Rizal. Another friend, Antonio Luna, sided with the opposite faction, probably because he resented the appointment of Rizal by the elder Luna as a sort of guardian. Juan Luna went to the extent of forwarding money to Rizal instead of to Antonio for the latter's room and board-a humiliating procedure indeed for Antonio.

At the time, Antonio was sowing his wild oats, probably to forget the rebuff he had received from Nelly. Teodoro Sandiko, Dr. del Rosario, Ponce, and a dozen others believed that Plaridel was better fitted to guide the destinies of the colony because he was an experienced lawyer and the older and more conservative of the two candidates. Rizal, on the other hand, favored taking steps which were calculated to goad Spaniards into greater fury and thus hasten (he social upheaval leading to reforms. The rivalry would not have arisen had not Lete, with the aid of Pedro Serrano, fomented the dislike for Rizal, who did not allay the feeling against him by his tactless attitude.

Perhaps recent personal events had forced Rizal to the end of

ELECTED "RESPONSABLE" his tether-he was at the point of a nervous breakdown. Besides, he was never a politician or a man who could sacrifice personal convictions to secure the support of the people.

With all sincerity, Rizal wanted Plaridel to fill the post of "Responsable." But he expected to be elected unanimously -he was only a human being, and therefore vain-and then resign in favor of Plaridel. He had hoped that Plaridel would immediately withdraw from the election to leave him alone in the field-this was the courteous procedure followed among bosom friends. He was hurt to find that Plaridel, although not actively seeking the post, did nothing to relieve the situation. After all, Plaridel was as human as Rizal and inwardly felt flattered at the move to elect him.

A second vote was taken resulting in the same deadlock.

Rizal began counting the votes in his favor.

"Good!" he exclaimed. "1 see 1 have but nineteen friends in the colony. Farewel)., gentlemen, I'm going to pack my bags -until we meet again!" And he seized his hat and left.

Ponce hurriedly turned to Luna, Lete, Sandiko, and others to shift their votes to Rizal.

Once the Pilaristas had accepted the change, Dominador Gomez got up as their spokesman and announced they would sacrifice their convictions for the sake of unity. Rizal was then elected unanimous Iy. The election for "Responsable," however, did not terminate the rivalry. Two other positions of counselor were open. No trouble took place in the election of Lete as counselor; but for the second position, a spirited discussion broke out between the two factions. Each party wanted to have the third position for itself in order to obtain the majority in the board. The meeting broke up and those present decided to continue it on the succeeding day.

On the third day, del Pilar presided over the meeting.

Rizal was also present. Apacible and Ponce, personally good friends but from opposing camps, wanted to resign in each

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other's favor. They finally compromised by choosing del Rosario, who was unable, however, to secure a majority partly because of Rizal's threat to resign from the leadership if the coalition candidate was elected. The Rizalistas therefore approached del Pilar to re-introduce the candidacy of Ponce, a Pilarista. Plaridel refused and advised them to seek another compromise candidate. Whereupon del Rosario approached Plaridel and suggested that since they, the Pilaristas, had given in to the Rizalistas on the question of the leader, they might as well agree on this matter in the interests of harmony. The session was suspended, a caucus was held, and Modesto Reyes was duly elect~d.

Before taking the oath of office, Rizal, in a lengthy speech of acceptance, reproached the paisanos for their lack of unity.

The acrimonious debates which had taken place had embittered him. He did not spare Lete, whom he rightly blamed as ,the cause of all the trouble. Del Pilar, Rizal added, should have immediately withdrawn his candidacy in view of the fact that the Bulakeiw himself had said that his own triumph would have been untimely. News of Rizal's defeat, would have been badly received in Manila because there they recognized him as their leader, and since he was the leader of the nationalist movement in Manila it would have been very bad if he were not also the leader of the colony in 'M adrid. He revealed that the Centro de Propaganda in Manila had written him a letter comparing him to the great Spanish patriot and writer, Ruiz Zorrilla. His leadership in Manila, he concluded, was unquestioned since he was looked upon as the author of all political thought agitating the Islands.

The claim that Rizal was the author of all political thought leading to the emancipation of the Philippines, had a solid basis.

If his Noli Me Tangere had earned for him the undying hatred of the friars and the Spanish reactionaries, it had also elevated him into a prominence hitherto unreached by any other Fili- ' pino, with the exception perhaps of Father Burgos. The Noli,

FAILURE AS A POLITICIAN by painting the abuses suffered by Filipinos, provoked them to defy their Spanish masters. Patriotic-minded Filipinos in the Philippines naturally looked upon Rizal as their leader.

He showed poor taste, however, in proclaiming the ' facts publicly, no matter how true they were. Blumentritt's eulogies, and the compliments of his friends, Europeans as well as Filipinos, probably blinded him to the simple fact that he could not retain his eminence without bending down occasionally to forgive the weaknesses of his fellow-men. As a politician, a man who sways with the wind of public opinion, he was an utter failure. Because he was himself a man of upright principles, disciplining himself like a Spartan, he could hardly tolerate any other conduct in his fellow [ountrymen.

CHAPTER XII lVIONTH later, Rizal left Madrid to seek some solace for his bruised heart. The Boustead family had rented a villa in Biarritz for the winter and invited him to stay there for a vacation. He re~ignerl as "Responsable" of the colony, packed his bags, bade a few close friends a hasty farewell, and left the city with bitterness in his heart.

The series of disappointments and reverses prompted him to woo Nelly Boustead at the Villa Eliada in Biarritz. Two and a half years ago, when he felt that he was losing his heart to Gertrude Beckett, he had confided to a friend: "N ature, if I'm not mistaken, gave me a tender and delicate heart; I'm inclined to be friendly and I wish to become the friend of all. Despite this, I have to hide my feelings; I have to' get angry and eve.p hate, with the result that I have one hundred enemies for every friend! If I were a free European, I would now' be married; I could have a family and live by the side of my parents, devoting myself to science, loving this beautiful world with my friends in peace. If you only knew how I envy the lowliest clerk in London! But enough of this."

Now that Leonor had jilted him, now that even his countrymen had disappointed him-why should he continue on the thorny and solitary road he had marked out for himself? The friars would have welcomed his silence-his withdrawal from the fray; his family would automatically get their lands back, the persecutions would cease, and he could live a tranquil life surrounded by a wife, children, sisters, parents, relatives, and friends.

Biarritz was an ideal spot for romance. Even at that time, it rivaled the Cote d' Azur as a winter resort. Mr. Boustead liked him, and Nelly would make a sensible wife for anybody.

She was sufficiently a Filipino-being a mestiza-to suit his

A

2\0

(Courtesy Trillidad Rizal)

NELLY BOUSTEAD

Heartsick over Leonor's infidelity, Rizal proposed marriage to the beautiful and wealthy Nelly Boustead, but she insisted as a condition that he turn Protestant-and Rizal refused.

MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

211

nationalistic taste and would make a splendid companion for one of his educational attainI!1ents. Weeks passed in the most agreeable manner, serving to obliterate the disappointments he had undergone in Madrid. His health improved and he put on the weight that he had lost during the past semester in Madrid. He sought the counsel of a few close friends inMadrid about his plan to marry Nelly, and their replies were reassuring. ''I'm told that she is noted for her fine education, for her most beautiful moral and physical qualities, and in addition to this, for being a Filipina," summed up Tomas Arejola.

"You may be sure if Miss Boustead agrees, and you marry her, we here will applaud such a fine outcome." . Finally, Rizal proposed to her. She would not say "yes" or "no" until he fulfilled one condition: that he join her religion by becoming a Protestant. He had abandoned Catholicism to maintain his intellectual freedom. Now she demanded his religious subservience in return for his personal happiness.

Was this too great a price to pay? He wondered. It never came to his mind, as others less honorable might have done, that he could make a pretense of doing this to gain his ends.

Jose asked for time to think it over. On March 29, the day before he left Biarritz, he wrote a long letter to Blumentritt; curiously enough, he did not mention the affair he was having with Nelly. Was he afraid of being judged a fickle man? Or did he have an intuition that this affair would not reach fruition?

"Despite our correspondence growing less frequent (he wrote), nevertheless, the same fraternity which exists between us has been preserved as ever! When a heart is oppressed, one desires a few drops of that bitterness to flow to another; but when this pain is so bitter and great, then one should keep it in the bottom of his heart-why afflict others? This is happening to me. I know that you have always participated in my intimate sorrows and bitterness, but when they are so great as to drown my soul-why bother?

212

THE GREAT MALAYAN 'Vhat has happened to my family? Whenever I think of them, I feel such pain that if it were not for my faith in God I would commit some folly. I'm not sorry to have embarked on this campaign, and if I were beginning life anew I would do the same thing, because I am sure that I am doling right.

This is the duty of anybody, and God could ask me why I did not fight against evil and injustice when I saw them. But when I think that everybody-parents, sisters, friends, nephews, and nieces-have to suffer because of my name, then I feel terribly disgraced-I lose all joy. When I am alone and meditate, I ask myself if it is better to be a good kinsman than to be a Christian. When my sweetheart abandoned me, I found she had reason-that I deserved it; but, nevertheless, my heart bleeds. Recently I received a letter from her announcing her forthcoming marriage-she was always much wooed by Filipinos and Spaniards.

I've also received letters from my countrymen describing ' their sufferings and persecutions, telling me that they will remain firm and do not fear all the tyrannies of the mighty. Sometimes, I wish a volcano would erupt in the Philippines and devour all the sufferings and injustices, so that all of us could sleep in the bosom of death!

Our compatriots salute you and confide in you, despite the rumors circulated by friars that you have joined their ranks.

My countrymen firmly believe that we will never abandon them!

I have finished my book. Ah! I've not written it with any idea of vengeance against my enemies, but only for the good of those who suffer and for the rights of Tagalog humanity, although brown and not good-looking.

I'm leaving tomorrow for Paris; and from there I do not know where I shall go."

Mrs. Boustead opposed the union on the grounds that Rizal was not financially well enough off to support her daughter.

But Nelly had a mind of her own, and when her parents wanted to know what her feelings were for Jose, she replied that she could not commit herself without first knowing whether he would embrace her religion. â&#x20AC;˘ Nelly wrote him a letter, giving him plenty of time to "examine the question in calm and seclusion, without hurry."

NELLY 11\1POSES A CONDITION

213

"Furthermore," she pointed out, when he complained that she did not really love him, since she imposed such a heavy condition, aside from never having shown signs of love, "since I have promised fidelity, since I have said I'd wait for you, and since I have continued -writing to you familiarly in my last letters, do you think I have done these because of mere caprice?

If so, you have understood me very badly! You allow yourself to be carried away by a wave with too much facility; if you were <;>nly more disposed to listen to the voice of Him who asks your heart and your services-it would be better for two persons. For you and for myself!

"Do you give in? Because I'm going to ask you not to write to me again. I'm going to give you another opportunity, if you care to accept it. Think well of the CONDITION that I have imposed on you and will always impose; if you end by becoming convinced, then come and we shall talk things over face to face so there may be no misunderstandings.

"Why do you want to go to Manila? To remain there, I suppose! You are all right where you are. Later you excuse yourself for having tormented me, and yet keep tormenting me more than is necessary. If I do not express my real feelings, it's because YOU do not PERMIT me, because I can never do so before you comply with my condition."

Once removed from her charming influence, Rizal soon realized that he was not so much in love with her as he had thought-at least not enough to sacrifice his principles. Rightly he recognized that his attachment for her resulted from his usual malady of loneliness aided by the pleasure of association.

Perhaps he recognized this attachment for her as a rebound of his disastrous affair with Leonor. Inwardly he sighed with relief that Nelly had stipulated his conversion to Protestantism prior to their marriage, for it had given him time to view things clearly from a proper perspective.

Well, if he wasn't going to marry Nelly, there wasn't much point to staying in Europe further. The Filipino colony abroad

THE GREAT MALAYAN could very well get along without him. He wanted to return to the Islands, but the counsel of friends and relatives made him pause; so he decided he would go to Hongkong, where Basa was waiting for him, and there either establish a school for Filipino boys with Cunanan, a Pampango friend who offered P 40,000 for the purpose, or embark on the practice of ophthalmology, a comparatively rare and lucrative profession in the Far East. As he was low in funds, he wrote to Basa asking the latter to send him a first-class ticket aboard one of the Messageries Maritimes vessels from Marseilles to Hongkong. But first there was his second novel, a continuation of the Noliy to consider. A Parisian printer was out of the question-because of the depleted condition of his pocketbook-and so he left for Brussels where Alejandrino and the Jacoby sisters were waiting for him.

Days flew swiftly in Brussels as he tackled the editing and revising of his second novel-El Filibusterismo. By the end of May, the first twenty chapters had been copied in a clean form, ready for the press. "It is written with greater ardor than the Noli/' he told Basa, "and although it is not so lighthearted, at least it is more profound and more perfect."

Rizal heard that printers were cheaper in Ghent, a neighboring city, and so he moved there early in July, with Alejandrino, his adoring and faithful companion. He had relied on the Centro de Propaganda to supply him with funds for the new book as well as his living expenses. This led only to another disappointment. In April he had received PIOO from the society as his January and February allowance. Now, he had been completely forgotten and the long-awaited remittance did not arrive.

"As it has been three months that I haven't received a single centavo," he wrote indignantly to Basa, "I have pawned all that I have to publish this book, and I shall continue with the printing as long as I can. When I have nothing else to pawn, tpen I shall stop and return to your side. I'm tired of believing in our countrymen. Everybody seems to have united

ECONOMIZING ON FOOD to embitter my life. They have tried to prevent my return, promising to send me an allowance, and after having done so for one month, have forgotten all about me. Some rich people have been promising and offering me money to publish my book. Now that I've accepted, they do not send me even one centavo. I live in a small room, I eat in a very modest restaurant so as to economize in order to publish my book. Soon I will have to stop the printing if money doesn't arrive. .. Ah! I tell you, if it were not for you, if it were not because I believe there are still true and good Filipinos, I would be tempted to send paisanos and all to the devil! What do they take me for?

Just at the moment when one needs to have his spirit tranquil and his imagination free, this deceit and niggardliness come! ...

At times I feel like burning my manuscript, but I think of you, and I know there are many good countrymen, many who truly love their country."

The two friends decided to cut down further on expenses by preparing their own breakfast, thus reducing the charge for their rooms. Rizal figur~d that the savings on the lower rent would more than make up for whatever they would spend by preparing their own breakfasts. Alejandrino bought tea, sugar, a box of biscuits, and alcohol for a little lamp to heat the tea.

Then Rizal divided the number of biscuits in the box into the thirty days of the month, and again divided this new amount into two which he said was the limit that each one of them could eat for a single day. On the first and second days, Alejandrino out of pride kept within the stipulated number, but on the third day felt so hungry that he -was not satisfied with the few biscuits allotted to him.

"You can borrow from your ration for tomorrow," suggested Rizal.

However, poor Alejandrino kept borrowing more and more biscuits each day, so that by the middle of the month he had exhausted his entire supply!

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THE GREAT MALAYAN

The young civil engineer was anxious to read the new novel, but Rizal would not let him. Clever Alejandrino, nevertheless, managed to read eagerly every chapter of the novel that was finished because he was entrusted with taking the copy to the prin ter and bringing back the proof.

"Do you know who Simoun is?" asked Rizal, when he learned that his friend had read the book in installments. Simoun was the principal character in the new novel, a mysterious mestizo, a jewelry salesman who had made a lot of money in Cuba and enjoyed the confidence of the Governor-General.

"He's Crisostomo Ibarra," replied Alejandrino without hesitation.

"How do you know--could:n't it be Elias?"

"N 0, because Elias died from the wounds he received during the chase on t~e lake, at the foot of the balete tree."

"That's true, and I'm sorry I have killed Elias instead of Crisostomo Ibarra. But when I wrote the Noli my health was very bad and I never believed I could write the continuation and talk about revolution. Otherwise, I would have preserved the life of Elias, who is a noble character, a patriot, unselfish and self-sacrificing, the necessary qualities for a man "who heads a revolution, while Crisostomo Ibarra was an egoist who decided to provoke a rebellion only when he was injured through his property, his person, his love, and all that he held sacred. Success cannot be expected from the enterprises of men like that."

The topic of a possible revolution fascinated young Alejandrino. He discussed the subject intensively with his older companIOn . .

"I will never head a disorderly revolution, one that has no chances of success," emphasized Rizal, "because I do not want to have on my conscience the rash and futile shedding of blood, but whoever wants to head a revolution in the Philippines will have me at his side!"

Brave words were these, and he had occasion later to prove he meant them.

LUNA SEEKS INSPIRATION All that long summer and fall, h~ watched over the' pu blication of the Fili with the care that a mother gives to her newlyborn child. Nobody needed to warn him what the new book would bring-only additional hatred from Spanish reactionaries. He had not gotten a single centavo from the Noli) and the Morga had brought only P2oo-a pitiful reward for his efforts; but he felt satisfied over the results the books had produced among his countrymen in the Islands.

From Juan Luna he received an interesting query. The Ilocano painter had b<:en reading Laveleye's Le Socialisme Contemporarie) a compilation of the various socialistic doctrines from Karl Marx and Lasalle down to the so-called Catholic socialism. Luna wanted some topic to inspire his brush, some subject to make his canvas quiver with a protest against crass materialism-against the exploitation of the poor by the rich!

Would Rizal recommend some book which would serve this purpose?

Rizal could only smile. These theories of rescuing the poor from the clutches of bloated capitalists, of advocating a more equitable distribution of wealth, they were fine in Europe, a free Europe that had no foreign master to consider. What value were these doctrines in the Philippines? There was no class struggle to be waged in the Islands-such an issue was simply non-existent in those days. The solution of the problem lay either in the expulsion of the Spanish masters, or in shattering the octopus hold of the friars on the civil administration. Noone class of Filipinos was exploited-the entire race itself was under a galling yoke. As Luna himself had to admit, industrialization in Europe had produced sharp cleavages in the various strata of society. Luna had visited the coal 'mines, the fac'tories, sweat shops, and industrial areas-and gave thanks that the Filipinos, despite the friars, suffered less than the poverty-stricken classes of Europe.

A parallel could also be dra'wn in the realm of art. When the Independents put up an exhibition in Paris, Luna, after a

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critical study of the new technique, had exclaimed: "Some are crazy and the rest are incompetent." Yet Luna made a mistake-a fundamental error, for if he had only appreciated their style and started painting in their manner, he would have achieved a place among the world's immortals. But how could Luna or any other Filipino artist join a new school of painters -as exemplified by Cezanne and Van Gogh-when art even along established channels of expression was in its infancy in the Islands? How could a thinker like Rizal or a painter like Juan Luna teach their countrymen to run when they did not even know how to walk, or to appreciate the beauties of creation when their eyes were just awakening from a long sleep?

Rizal received news from Madrid and from Manila with a hardening cynicism. From his sister Narcisa he learned that more than three hundred families in Kalamba had been thrown out of their homes by a vengeful and irate religious corporation. Refused shelter in the homes of their friends, because of a strict' warning not to help issued by the friars, the poor townspeople slept under huts of palm leaves on the sandy shores of the lake, or under the shade of some comforting mango tree.

Such treatment would have precipitated a riot in Cavite or Malolos, where residents were not so docile to the Spanish yoke, but in Laguna the people only prayed to the Good Lord to succor them. Felipe Buencamino Sr., a prominent native lawyer, took up the case of the dispossessed tenants, but he could not overcome the forces of reaction and all that he did was to prepare bombastic briefs that gained for him doubtful fame as a patriot.

News from Spain made Rizal smile with bitter satisfaction. Soon after his departure, a meeting was held to elect a successor for the position of "Responsable," Apacible and Modesto Reyes nearly came to blows, and the gathering ended in an uproar. Not until later did the colony elect Plaridel to succeed Rizal.

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Then one of the younger students got so heavily in debt that he had to leave Madrid by the back door to escape creditors. Tomas Arejola bewailed the absence of Rizal, whose presence served as a moral restraint on the younger members.

But why should Rizal have remained when others considered him a prude and a puritan? Let them shift for themselves.

Lopez Jaena had made one of his lightning changes, and instead of going to Cuba he decided to return to the Philippines, as Rizal had strongly advised. Graciano was returning to Manila to twist the tail of the Castilian lion; he planned a visit of only seven months-"if I'm not imprisoned or exiled."

"If I'm sacrificed," he told friends on his departure, "I will glory in being the first martyr of the Filipino people. I go without fear, I'm resigned to everything, ready for anything, to fight if there be need for it, and to die if necessary."

But the Iloilo patriot 'was braver in words than in deeds.

Four days after landing in Manila, fearing that he would either be sent to Bilibid Prison or exiled to the Marianas Islands, he secretly and hastily boarded a boat for Hongkong. He left Manila satisfied with the promise of a forty peso monthly allowance from the Propaganda-not having heard of Rizal's sad experience with that same organization. The brief stay in the Islands convinced Graciano of one thing: the Philippines could not and would not secure anything EXCEPT THROUGH REVOLUTION!

Letters of reconciliation came from Madrid. Lete wrote a lengthy justification of his desertion of Rizal, claiming that since the latter was determined to leave Spain it was no use voting for him! Plaridel, somewhat shy over the whole affair, declared that, on his part, he never had any ill feeling towards or rivalry with Rizal, as reported by the paisanos in Madrid and Manila, and wondered why the latter had ceased writing for the Soli. Rizal replied that since the Soli was a private organ he could not contribute articles for it because it contained political views contrary to his own; therefore, to preserve

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peace and an outward unity, it would be best for him to remain silent. He had failed to impose an iron discipline on the mem. bers of the colony. Since they had rebelled, they could not look to him for support.

"The scratches of friends hurt more than the wounds inflicted by enemies," he observed. "What can I do with my impatience and my supposed despotism? I understand the desire of each _Filipino to do what he pleases, and I renounce my plan to form with my countrymen the tight bond I had dreamed about. Perhaps the compressed molecules of iron are inferior to air composed of free and mobile molecules-I have been mistaken and I present my resignation."

When the Propaganda failed in its promise to mail a regular allowance, Rizal finally decided to abandon all politics.

He needed peace and tranquillity, and since the colony could get along without him, why should he put his foot where it was not needed? T~e Propaganda in Manila, hearing of his disagreement with del Pilar, had announced its unconditional support of Rizal's leadership. But of what value were these words? Words, words, and words! Many were the patriotic Filipinos who generously gave money for the nationalist cause, enough to support a dozen Rizals in Europe, but there were also a few Judases in the Philippines who, masquerading in the name of patriotism, dishonestly pocketed whatever contributions had been raised. As the organization was outlawed, members could not publicly demand an accounting, and as a result the movement suffered from acute financial anemia. Rizal, therefore, wrote a letter of resignation to leaders of the Propaganda in Manila. In Hongkong or somewhere else near the Philippines, he could earn his living and remain as useful as ever to the cause.

Residents of Malolos questioned del Pilar over the alleged break with Rizal. Plaridel wrote a long account of what had happened, and closed with these words: "I think we should avoid at all costs an opinion unfavorable to our Rizal-I want

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to preserve unharmed the great name he enjoys there. You will remember that when he was determined to return there, I specially advised you to be on the look-out for anything which might belittle him: I did this purposely because I could sense in him things which I have seen only now. This is because this man has developed himself in libraries where one does not have to take into account the active give and take of the hard world of reality."

Reports of the break between Rizal and Plaridel worried Blumentritt, who 'w rote to both, appealing to their patriotism to forget any possible differences of opinion. But Rizal had made up his mind, and his dignity had been too deeply hurt for the wound to heal in so short a time. "Never mind what they say about me," he replied to Blumentritt; "I have done my duty-I envy no one-I confide in God and in the fate of my country."

At last, in the latter part of September, the Fili was off the press. Somehow, by strict self-denial, Rizal managed to pay the printers. He set aside fifty complimentary copies for friends, and packed the rest of the edition in large boxes for distribution. At last he could breathe freely! He was so afraid lack of money might prevent the publication of this third book in which he had poured all his knowledge, all his thoughts, all his feelings. Immediately, he planned to write a third novel-the novel, he realized, was the medium by which he could best reach his countrymen. If "Uncle Tom's Cabin" had provoked the American Civil War, why shouldn't his novels jolt Filipinos into a realization of their miserable plight? But this third novel would be different from the other two; it would be a novel in the modern meaning of the word-none of your political dissertations and philosophies as in the N ali and the Fili.

There would be only two Spanish characters: the friar curate and the lieutenant of the civil guard. In this unborn novel he would be humorous, satiric, and ingenious-yes, he would

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wield his pen like a whip, and then laugh-laugh amidst the tears.

Praise for his new book began pouring in, from Blumentritt, Ponc'e, jaena, Luna, Ventura, and others. Del Pilar's was the only discordant voice. Over a year ago, the Bulakefio had written the first few chapters of a novel and sent the manuscript to Rizal for criticism. The latter frankly declared the work was not much as a novel because the characters were not true to actual conditions in the Philippines. In return, del Pilar was just as frank about the Fili) and Rizal was forced to admit that the new book was inferior to the Noli as a novel. "I have received with a grain of salt the opinion of others that the Fili is superior to the Noli." confessed Rizal to del Pilar. "You are the first to tell me the truth, and your opinion coincides with mine. This flatters me because it proves that I still know how to judge myself."

Life in Europe, in the mean time, was becoming more unbearable with each passing day. Without some companion, some beloved person to comfort him, life in Europe appeared terribly arid and lonesome. It seemed as if he would never get married-was his country alone to be his spouse? Rizal felt he had to return to the Islands. He was anxious to clasp his aged parents to his breast-but everybody advised him not to return.

What alternative remained-Europe or Hongkong? He had accomplished all that he could in Europe. The friends he had cultivated in Europe's centers of learning were men without political or economic influence-and only Blumentritt was willing to identify himself with the Filipinos against mighty Spain. What could any other Filipino have done? Precious little. Without money, they could do nothing to advance their cause. All they could do was to offer their lives on the altar of liberty. But the majority of the paisanos in Europe were timid men; they were vociferous only when removed from immediate danger. The Philippines could not expect redemption from citizens like these. They trembled at the thought of

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death-it was his turn, now, to set them an example showing that he was not afraid of death! Well, then, onward to the Far East for whatever Destiny had in store for him.

Basa's letter, together with a draft and a ticket, arrived, and Rizal immediately left for Paris on October 4. On the fifteenth, he boarded at Marseilles a Messageries Maritimes ship for Hongkong, but not without first sending del Pilar a farewell letter. No, Rizal wrote, he was not offended that Plaridel had allowed himself to be used by others to defeat him-in fact it was a blessing in disguise! Had Rizal been unanimously elected, he would have had to stay in Madrid-imagine in what circumstances he would have found himself! Shorn of his powers, burdened with so many duties, possessed of only the few rights left by hostile members and working with counselors who were really agai'r~s t him-what would have happened? With his uncompromising character, Rizal would have quarreled with everybody before allowing one tiny rule to be violated!

"What a pity that t:he work we have both striven to do has split us asunder! I understand that in your heart you esteem me. I'll always have a high regard for you even more than you might perhaps think, because in my case all emotions, all feelings, hatred and anger, are lasting though not eternal! I have this defect: I forgive, but I forget with difficulty. In the same way that I do not forget you were my best defender, I also remember you were the first through whom some jealous paisanos sought to depose me! What a pity we have not been able to continue side by side! Because I have been to a certain extent the political head, you wanted to submerge me in order to elevate yourself into the first leader. But this is natural under human conditions."

Rizal was retiring from the political arena in favor of del Pilar. Henceforth, he would not write a single word for the Soli unless those in Manila formally ordered him to do sohe would remain steadfast to his resolution. To retire, claimed Rizal, would not be to abandon the cause. If a clay god were

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dissolved by a glass of champagne, and if the idol were truly made of clay-what did it matter if the idol disappeared? Only time would tell who was right.

"May these petty things," Rizal sadly concluded, "which appear like the grudges that slaves have when disputing among themselves the merits of their chains, not completely erase the memories of the past years when we had not yet seen each other . under the skies of Madrid! I will keep my friendship and esteem for you ... and you MAY BE SURE that NEVER will I enter a plot or conspiracy to dethrone you or to kill your newspaper.

To retire is not to war on you ... Let there be peace between old friends."

But peace there was not to be.

CHAPTER XIII OSE Maria Basa, who had escaped from the blood purge of 1872" practically took a new lease on life with the arrival in Hongkong of his younger namesake, Jose Rizal. In the decades that had elapsed since that memorable event, the execution of Fathers Burgos, Zamora and Gomez, he had seen an illusion vanish gradually: the death of the three Filipino priests, instead of bringing about reforms, had only resulted in cruel reprisals and further atrocities committed upon a docile brown population. He had heard of this youngster, this star pupil of the Jesuit school, from the mouths of paisanos; had read the Noli Me Tangere; and had finally met him in person, two years before while the latter was en route to Europe. Now, convinced that little or nothing could be accomplished by staying further on the Continent., Rizal ,,vas returning.

J

Basa welcomed hiD). with open arms. Here was a younger man, unselfish and talented, who could carryon the thankless job of awakening their fellow countrymen into a realization of the abuses committed by the Spaniards. Together, the two talked and planned endlessly as to the wisest course they should take.

At that time there existed in the British colony an Asociacion Filipina, a loosely-knit organization for social purposes.

Lopez J aena, who had crossed paths with Rizal in mid-ocean , that fall, suggested the formation of a more unified association among the younger Filipinos in' Hongkong for nationalistic ends, Although he was the founder and one of the directors of the periodical La Solidaridad) complete power over the editorial policies had been assumed by Ponce and del Pilar to his exclusion. He blamed them for circulating in Manila reports that he was a roue, a gambler, and a "no-account" sort of person. "You and I," he wrote to Rizal, "will join to over-

THE GREAT MALAYAN throw all those patrioteers who exploit patriotism for their own ends."

Rizal, however, was above such intrigues. He had promised del Pilar not to plot against him, and therefore turned a deaf ear to Jaena's siren song. Graciano and Rizal would have made a formidable pair, and undoubtedly would have taken the leadership from the Ponce-del Pilar combination. But to have done so would have been to deepen the factional strife among the Filipinos abroad-and Rizal would have none of that.

Union, above all, unity!

Dr. Lorenzo Marquez, a prominent Portuguese physician whom he had met the last time he passed through Hongkong, greatly helped Rizal to establish a clientele. The Filipino oculist, following the usual requirements, was not allowed to practice his profess-ion until he obtained from the university in Madrid a copy of the diploma which had been lost during his travels. Dr. Marquez turned over to him cases which suited his particular skill. Gradually, Rizal's reputation grew, and he would have undoubtedly gained wide renown in his line had not the problem of his country's future tormented him continually.

In the Islands, Rizal's male relatives were the objects of Spanish vengeance, so Jose arranged for their transfer to Hongkong, quietly and secretly, for otherwise they would never have been permitted to leave. By the first week of December, Francisco, his father, Paciano, his brother, and his brother-in-law, Silvestre Ubaldo, were in this haven of the British Empire.

Jose was shocked by the appearance of Paciano who, with his white hair, seemed more like a brother to their father.

"Tata),," as they called their father, soon put on weight and even gained some color in his cheeks. The new environment seemed to agree with the elder Rizal. F or one thing, the climate was much cooler. Francisco Rizal-he had dropped the name of Mercado when the persecutions began-took long walks in the downtown districts, or up and down the sides of

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the hill that is Hongkong, watching the ships at sea. He was very happy, except that he missed his wife, Teodora Alonzo de ' Rizal.

Deprived of their male prey, Spanish civil and clerical authorities in Kalamba turned on Rizal's kinswomen for vengeance. T eodora Alonzo had forgotten to sign the surname of "Realonda" given in 1869, when Governor Claveria ordered all natives of the Islands to adopt a distinguishing surname. She was duly arrested for the second time in her life and forced under guard-as if she were a dangerous criminal-to walk from Kalamba to Santa Cruz, the provincial capital, a distance of over 30 kilometers! For the same omission, a hundred thousand Filipino mothers could have been jailed-but no, the authori- . ties had to choose her, just because she was the mother of Jose Rizal. Of course, everybody knew the real reason for the outrage. Had the menfolk of the family been there, the guards might have met with violence, but her husband, her sons, and sons-in-law were either away or in exile. She tried to take passage aboard the vessel regularly plying along the lake towns, and offered to pay the tickets of her guards-but in vain.

Accompanied by one of her daughters, she finally reached Santa Cruz-after four weary days. She arrived in such a deplorable physical condition that the Spanish governor of Laguna at Santa Cruz, seeing her advanced age and touched by the sufferings she had undergone, immediately freed her.

Dona Teodora, accompanied by two of her daughters, immediately fled to Hongkong to join her husband and two sons.

In that place of refuge they were at last safe from Spanish vindictiveness, although Manila authorities immediately issued orders for the arrest of the members of Rizal's family who had left the Philippines.

The aged couple found Hongkong a real haven. In the quiet way of country folks, they observed the freedom enjoyed by residents of that British colony.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "I want to die here," exclaimed Francisco Rizal to his family. "I never want to return to Kalamba-life there is impossi ble! " Dona Teodora, who had been a very pious Catholic all her life, underwent a complete religious reversal, which did not surprise her younger son.

"I don't believe any more in what the friars say," she also told her family. "Religion is merely a fraud and the friars have neither faith nor religion. I believe only in God and the Virgin Mary."

As with the aged couple, so with the sisters of Rizal and thousands of other women in the Islands who had had their eyes finally opened to the atrocities committed under the guise of religion.

Additional signs of encouragement were contained in the stream of letters from home. A peasant woman of Kalamba, though sick and with four small children to protect, fought tooth and nail against the Dominican lay-brother who had come with some guardia civiles to evict her in the absence of her husband. Though she had to stay in bed the next four days to recuperate from her bruises, she had successfully defended the right to her home against the hated guardia civiles! News also came that a Dominican had taken the side of the ousted Kalamba tenants and defended Rizal's ideas against the abuses of his associates. The rest of the Dominicans were angry with him, but could do nothing as he was the rector of Santo Tomas University. Archbishop Nozaleda, a Dominican, was also disgusted with the rector, but even that worthy dignitary had no means of redress. All these were straws in the wind to show that the old order was changing, and that the dawn of a new day was fast approaching ...

Jose moved to larger quarters upon the arrival of his family, renting a house on Rednaxela Terrace for $40 Mex I a 1 A dollar Mex meant a silver dollar, to differentiate it from the gold or United States dollar which was worth much more. The word Mex is an abbreviation for Mexico from where the silver originally came, later shipped to Manila and China.

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month. The Rizals furnished the house themselves: there was a living room, a library, three or four bedrooms, a bath and a kitchen where they could cook native dishes, which would help overcome any feeling of homesickness. Pictures of Blumentritt, Juan Luna, landscapes, and two old-fashioned pistols adorned the walls of the library, where Jose spent most of his spare time writing his fourth book, a continuation of the Noli and the Fili.

This third novel was to be in Tagalog. In that way, he felt he could reach a greater number of readers, for the Tagalogs formed the largest language group in the Islands. The great majority of Filipinos barely understood Spanish-so what good would a novel in that language do? His novels uncovered native defects-written in Spanish, would his revelations give Europeans cause to mock Filipinos? Heavens-he hoped not!

The Noli and the Fili.. he admitted, reached an island-wide circulation, but only among a handful of the educated. This time he wanted to reach as wide an audience as possible. Anyway, he would touch only on Tagalog customs, dealing exclusively with the virtues and defects of that particular groUp.l He felt sorry he was not writing in Spanish; the theme of this new novel inspired him to greater literary heights, and he found his knowledge of Tagalog was not sufficient to approach the divine Balagtas, prince of Tagalog writers. What an irony it was for the foremost M.alay not to be a master of the dialect of his birth! Blame could be attached to the educational system that despised the native dialect in favor of Spanish and Latin.

Jose found he could not express his thoughts in Tagalog with ease-he had to resort to neologisms. Although responsible for introducing the new method of spelling into Tagalog, removing the Spanish influence altogether, he could not express himself on paper very well.

Thus, four or five months later, Rizal abandoned the idea of writing the continuation of his two previous novels in Ta1 It seems strange for Rizal to have made this statement to Blumentritt, for were not his two novels mostly about Tagalog practices and customs?

THE GREAT MALAYAN galog. It would not be proper, he reasoned out, to write three books all on the same theme in two languages-it would seem too much like the bilingual sermons of the friars. He decided to rewrite the novel entirely in Spanish.

Late that December, he had an interesting visitor-a young Augustinian friar. Not being a blind enemy of the friars, he received the Spaniard with utmost courtesy. The visit lasted for nearly two hours, with the two engaged in a lengthy discussion on religion and the political situation in the Philippines.

Before leaving, the friar smiled and jokingly boxed Jose's ears.

This was a familiar gesture indulged in by clergymen whenever censuring one of their naughtier students. As Rizal was not in a mood to be bullied, he likewise boxed the visitor's ears with the admonition: "You also deserve it!"

The Augustinian laughed, and added: "In strength you cannot beat me."

"That's what YOl\ think," replied Rizal.

The friar lunged t owards Rizal, but the latter side-stepped the attack and neatly pinned his opponent's arms to the back.

The priest had to admit he had had the worst of the argument.

Both laughed over the tussle, and parted with each having a higher opinion of the other. Rizal wondered at the astuteness of that cassocked visitor, while the friar admired the physical and mental prowess of the indio.

That Christmas was one of the happiest in Jose's life. The last time the Rizals had spent Christmas together was in Kalamba four years ago-how time had fled! Here they were, on foreign soil, in voluntary exile-nevertheless, they were together, and this fact eased somewhat the pain of being separated from the rest of their relatives. Jose had a fleeting thought of Leonor Rivera, and a twinge of jealousy tormented him when he remembered that she was now the wife of an Englishman and, so his sisters reported, heavy with child. He resolutely turned her out of his mipd. His greatest love of all-his beloved Philippines-was there, for all time!

LIGA FILIPINA In the meantime, two enterprises absorbed his attention: the formation of an association of patriots to be called "La Liga Filipina", and the creation of a colony of Filipino settlers in British North Borneo.

The sad experience with the paisanos in Europe had taught Rizal a lesson: it was next to impossible to expect anything worth while from Filipinos abroad. The salvation of his country lay among the masses at home. The student group abroad was an unruly lot, all wanting to become leaders, an envious bunch separated by jealous cliques. All that the masses needed was enlightenment, and this he was sure could be supplied through the Liga he had outlined. The Centro de Propaganda was like a wooden house eaten by termites-it was rotten to the core with graft. The Liga resembled the organization he had wanted to establish in Europe, only it was meant for residents of the Islands. There would be in each local unit a "jefe" or leader, and an advisory board composed of a "fiscal" or legal counsel, a treasurer, and a ~ecretary. U nits were to be established in every town and barrio 'with these officers at the head. Above these town units would be the Provincial Council which would be subordinated to a Supreme Council that would control absolutely the policies of the entire organization. The Liga had five aims: 1. To unite the archipelago into a compact, vigorous, and homogeneous body; 2. Mutual protection in all circumstances and on all occasions; 3. Defense against all violence and injustice; 4. Support of instruction, industrial and agricultural; 5. The study and putting into practice of reforms.

Members were placed under strict discipline and warned not to divulge anything about the association. In this, Rizal had not erred; to obtain unity, military discipline must be rigidly followed and enforced.

Rizal was most careful to omit in drafting the statutes of the Liga any reference to the independence of the Philippines or to revolutionary activities. He had some hope that even if this secret society were discovered by Spanish authorities, they

THE GREAT MALAYAN would have no grounds to proscribe it-there was nothing subversive against either the government or the Church.

His second project was the establishment of a Filipino agricultural colony in the northern part of Borneo, just southwest of Sulu Island, the southernmost tip of the Philippine archipelago. Of course, Jose did not expect to become a planterwhat did he .know about planting crops? But these colonizers needed somebody to head the movement, to protect and manage their interests; in this respect, he could be of service.

"I feel flattered," he revealed to Blumentritt, "that I can still be of some use to my country with my pen. You know very well that I am at all times always at the disposal of my country not only with my pen but also with my life, whenever my country asks of me this sacrifice. But as I grow old my ideals and dreams vanish. If it's impossible for me to give freedom to my country, at least I can give it to my noble compatriots by bringing them to other lands. That's why I'm thinking of emigrating to Borneo. There they have vast lands where a new Kalamba can sprout."

Both plans, it need not be added, met with the enthusiastic approval of Basa. Even impetuous Antonio Luna, hearing of the project, wanted to abandon his studies in Madrid and lead the life of a farmer in Borneo.

Replacement of Weyler by Eulogio Despujol late in 1891 heartened Filipino nationalists, including Rizal, who immediately wrote a letter offering his services to the government in the interests of justice and reform. The letter was never answered. The following March, Rizal again wrote a letter to Governor Despu jol asking for official permission to allow Filipinos to change their nationality and sell their holdings in the Philippines for the purpose of emigrating to Borneo.

Jose was encouraged by the reception of his settlement plan among residents of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan.

Scores of families, despairing of a more abundant life under the Spanish regime, were willing to start anew in a foreign land

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under the guidance of Rizal. But they could not leave the Islands like fugitives; they had to dispose of their lands, goods, chattels, and other possessions. A mass movement like this could not pass unnoticed by the ferret eyes of government detectives, and hence they needed the approval of the GovernorGeneral. .

Despujol's first few months in office gave Filipinos ground for hope. In him, they thought they saw the reverse of Valeriano Weyler-Despujol was a second Governor de la Torre, the most liberal executive that the Philippines ever had in the nineteenth century. On Despuj'ol's birthday, March 17, 1892 , he rescinded an order banishing thirteen of the seventeen relatives and followers of Rizal exiled in Jolo, capital of Sulu. A big fiesta was held in Malacafian Palace. Hundreds of prominent Filipinos came tendering gifts, and to all of them Despu jol was the mirror of Castilian virtues, continually protesting that he did not deserve such tokens of esteem and affection from the native population.

As soon as Rizal heard of this, he wrote a follow-up to the letter already mentioned and to make sure it would not be lost, forwarded it to the husband of his sister N arcisa, Antonino Lopez, for delivery at the Palace. But for the second time, Despujol remained silent. Even as a cat patiently waits for a mouse to emerge from a hole, so did Despujol wait for Rizal to return to the Philippines.

So taken up was Rizal with the colonization project, that he made a short visit to Sandakan in North Borneo, some time that April. British officials, badly in need of settlers to develop the sparsely populated region, gladly accepted Rizal's proposal and offered to give them on a free lease of 999 years an area of 100,000 acres, besides building for their convenience a port at government expense! Rizal proposed to raise sugar cane and hemp, aside from other crops the new colony might need, and the Britishers were delighted that this might be the opening

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wedge with which to break the Spanish monopoly on the worldfamed Manila rope made from abaca or hemp.

All Rizal's plans and dreams for the future, however, received a rude shock with the arrival of the mail from Europe that last week of May. In the month-old issue of La Solidaridad was an article by Edilberto de Leporel, Eduardo de Lete's nom de plume, entitled "Redentores de Perro Chico," a crushing satire on would-be saviors of their country . . . . And there was one more daring than the rest (the article read in part) who, believing he was called by God and displaying great anxiety, took the pontifical seat. Raising his voice and anointing himself as the apostle of the new idea, he spoke thus to the oppressed people in an accent almost apocalyptical: "Don't you know that complaints are the traits only of the weak? Will you tolerate longer that slavery which degrades you without destroying all that goes with it? Here are the tablets of the law-here is the device against the powerful. To the struggle! To die! To arms!"

Saying this, he descended from the platform that served as a tribunal and adopted an attitude of tragic reserve, crossing his arms over his breast like another Napoleon ...

(Somebody in the audience objected to a revolution for lach of money, Titles, and bullets, and claimed it was wiseT tirst to campaign in the press and gain their ends thmugh legislative reforms.) The savior exclaims: "What do you say, you wretch? To what do you objectmoney? This isn't necessary. A heart and a sword-that is the secret.

"God made you good patriots! The press? We have written enough; we should not expect anything from the Governor, neither from the Mayor nor the curate. Have you heard?

"You believe 1 do little by shouting? By showing you the road? By inciting you to the struggle?

"1 should not fight; my life is sacred; my mission is higher!

"When you triumph, 1 will take charge of organizing and governing you, through one decree after another. 1 shall entertain you with my epic songs or with some heroic romance ... "

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As Jose read these sarcastic lines, he immediately recognized the person whom. the article was caricaturing. Had he not pleaded with the Madrid colony that further propaganda in Europe was futile-had he not advocated revolution-had he not told them that the field for their mission was in the Philippines?

Burning with indignation at this treacherous attack, he wrote letters to Ponce and del Pilar protesting against Lete's article. Rizal blamed Plaridel for allowing the article to appear in the Soli: it would lead Filipinos to believe there were grounds for the reported break between the two leaders. If there were personal differences of opinion among the leaders of the foreign colony, why should they wash dirty linen in public? He firmly believed that the ultimate redemption of his country lay in a political separation from Spain; if Lete and del Pilar believed otherwise, why take the trouble of publicly attacking him, unless he pair wanted to assume the role of favoring the bringing together of the two countries? He welcomed criticism, in order to correct any faults he might have -but this attack was uncalled for.

"If you acted because of some political purpose," he chided Plaridel, ' ~ why so much passion and why not write to me in private? And if you acted on your own account, why did you do it? Did I not tell }OU before leaving Europe that I would never start anything against you? What animal has bitten you to attack me when here I do not mix at all with politics? Here I work only to prepare a free place of refuge for our countrymen, and dedicate my spare time to writing a few lines.

Haven't I told you I was leaving politics for your greater prestige? Because of that, was it necessary for you to attack me?

I can't understand it. ..

"Each time I'm becoming more cOllvinced that Lete, in writing the article, had done so without thought and you allowed yourself to be carried away. Friend or enemy, if the article could harm me, it could harm more the interests of the Phil-

THE GREAT MALAYAN ippines. Who knows, nevertheless, if after all this is a blessing: it has awakened me, and after a long silence I enter once more the struggle. And here I assure you: I enter the fray, but without taking arms against either you or any other Filipino ... " Rizal correct! y suspected the reason for this attack. The Soli was beginning to feel the lack of financial support from the patriots back home, and blamed Rizal for it. The editors suspected that Rizal had tried to discredit them back in Manila and the provinces; they were mistaken, of course, although the rumors of a break had a most demoralizing effect among the su pporters of the periodical in the Islands. They had also heard about the Liga) which they feared might take the place of the Centro and, as the brain-child of Rizal, it would naturally elect him as its leader. Thus the Soli and all their work in Spain would automatically collapse for lack of supporters in the Philippines. They possessed a clearer vision than Rizal in this respect: the Kalambefio, blinded by his idealism, probably never realized that his Liga) because of its more perfect organization, would overthrow the Centro and eventually become the sole organ of Filipino ,nationalism. Political opposition must be crushed from the start. Not being a politician, Rizal never realized this; but those in Madrid were fully aware of it. So Lete, with del Pilar's knowledge and consent, dipped his pen in poisoned ink and wrote the cruelest words that one paisano had ever written against another.

It was true Rizal had stopped writing for the Solidaridad.

As he explained to Ponce, Plaridel, Baldomero Roxas, Alejandrino, and the re-st, he no longer wanted to be a contributor for two reasons: first, his views differed from those of its editors, and therefore to write for it would be to disclose to the public the break in the ranks of the Filipinos; and second, he sincerely believed that further propaganda in Europe was a useless expenditure of time, money, and effort. Rizal's decision admittedly had a personal motive behind it.

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"I suggested many projects (to the paisanos in Madrid) ," he had revealed to Blumentritt, "and they waged a secret war against me. When I tried to make the Filipino work, they called me a would-be idol, declaring that I was a despot, etc.

They wrote to Manila twisting the facts and claimed I wanted this and that, which wasn't exactly the truth. From some friends I learned that before my Filibusterismo was published, they had already said it was worth nothing and very inferior to the Noli.

Secretly they hatched many petty charges against me, as if they wanted to destroy my little reputation. I am retiring to evade a break. Let the others direct the politics of the colony. They said Rizal was a very difficult personality-good, Rizal removes himself. Obstacles should not come from me."

After the lapse of several months, at the insistence of numerous friends, he had decided to return to the columns of the Soli-but to write only on non-political topics.

"It would be folly to write now on politics," he had told Blumentritt. "If our long 'desire for assimilation and espafiolizaci6n 1 is answered by the destruction of Kalamba, a sincere man should not write another word. For the same reason I cannot write about separation, at least in the Soli)路 I have to content myself with writing on neutral subjects. If I 'write thus, then the Filipinos will say I no longer care for them and that I have abandoned politics. The Spaniards will think likewise. But my silence will give them much food for thought."

Now, however, after the vicious attack in the Soli) matters took on an entirely different aspect.

It was also true Rizal had favored an armed revolution in his talks with friends in Europe. As the radical Republicans in Madrid had told him: "Liberties are secured by bullets, and not by kneeling!" Perhaps he had only vague ideas of how to put such a revolution into practice. Perhaps his plans for a revolution were impractical-but what of it? His country1 A noun invented by Rizal to denote the process of making Spaniards out of upper class Filipinos which had been going on for a long lime.

THE GREAT MALAYAN men were so timid that such talk was necessary to instill in them courage to resist Spanish brutality and oppression. The taunts of the Cubans and the Porto Ricans in the Ma.sonic Lodge Solidaridad in Madrid had opened his eyes. To be successful, one had to be courageous, tenacious and audacious!

Blumentritt's letter early that March had a sobering effect on any plans he had for a possible revolution. The Bohemian p~ofessor warned: "Above all I pray you not to enter into revolutionary agitation. Because he who start.s a revolution must have at least the probability of success if he does not wish to burden his conscience with the useless shedding of blood. It has always happened that when a people have risen against another dominating it, a colony against the mother-country, a revolution has never succeeded by its own efforts. The United States became free because France, Spain, and H@lland united with her. The Latin American republics gained their liberty because there was civil war in Spain and because America gave them money and arms. The Greeks became free because England, France, and Russia helped. The Rumanians, Serbians, and Bulgarians were freed with the aid of Russia; Italy with that of France and Prussia; Belgium with that of England and France. In all places whenever the people depended on their own strength, they succumbed before the military force of the ruling power: the Italians in 1830, 1848, and 1849; the Poles in 1831, 1845, and 1863; the Hungarians in 1848 and 1849 ...

"If an insurrection is now started in the Philippines, it will end in tragedy, because the insular position of the Philippines alone will make all uprising without ships a failure.

Furthermore, insurrectionists will not have ammunition for more than five weeks. Add to this the fact that among Filipinos there are still a great number of believers in the friars.

A revolution would merely lead the educated to t.he scaffold.

The oppression of tyranny will increase. A revolution has no

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chance of success unless it has these factors: 1. an uprising by a portion of the army and the navy; 2. the mother-country finds itself in a war with another nat.i on; 3. money and arms an~ available; and 4. some foreign country extends its official or secret help to the insurrection. Not one of these factors is to be found in the case of the Philippines."

In the face of such a clear exposition of the subject, Rizal abandoned temporarily all thoughts of an armed revolution.

His sensitive scholar's soul shrank from路 bloodshed. He had favored a bloody upheaval to win freedom, but now that Blumentritt had torn a page from history as a vivid lesson, he sadly but resolutely turned away from that solution. He was a dreamer, an idealist, but he was also a realist, a man who could grasp the practical aspects of a situation. The time was not yet ripe, and later events proved the wisdom of his decision.

Lete's article rankled deeply in the breast of Rizal, partly because the charges h d a grain of truth in them and partly because they had been 'yritten by a paisano. He did not mind the attacks of professional hirelings, like Retana, Feced, or Barrantes-all the insults they could heap on his head were a part of the game. But that his own friends, his co-workers in a noble cause, should stab him when his back was turned, only because of jealousy! Indeed, his cup was full to the brim with bitter hemlock.

For three weeks after reading the article in the Solidaridad Rizal pondered deeply on what he should do. This time there was no Blumentritt to counsel him. .. Finally he made his decision. Ke would return to the Philippines to whatever fate awaited him there-yes, even death on the scaffold!

J

Basa remonstrated, but in vain. At first, his parents, brother, and sisters pleaded against his return, but when he remained firm in his decision they resigned themselves to whatever fate had in store for him. This was their Calvary, their Via Crucis-the future lay in the hands of God.

THE GREAT MALAYAN" What of Rizal's proposed colony in Borneo? He did not abandon the idea. It would have been next to impossible to carry it into effect without the approval of Despujol, for his future colonizers could not leave penniless. Perhaps a personal interview with Despujol might secure the permissionand if he did get arrested, the liberty of these unfortunates would be well worth the loss of his freedom or even of his life. Paciano and others could establish the colony without him. If everything failed-well, that was the finish of one of his dreams. Besides,:ls his brother-in-law Hidalgo had pointed out: "Without having exhausted all our strength for the benefit of the soil that has fed us since birth-why "should we leave it for a foreign land?"

In the middle of June, Jose wrote del Pilar another letter repeating his protest against Le te's attacks. To the last, he would not believe that Plaridel could have been responsible for that vicious attack in the Soli) and closed with the wish that they could meet again far a"way from Madrid, either in Manila or in Hongkong, for "once removed from that atmosphere, seeing each other face to face will make us understand." The wish, however, remained merely a pious hope. They were never destined to meet in the four remaining years of life left to them.

The Spanish consul in Hongkong, in the meantime, had received confidential orders from Despujol to lure Rizal back to Manila by assuring the Filipino doctor that he would be immune from any harm or arrest. Rizal doubted the assurances of the consul, but so great was his desire to return that his suspicions were allayed when the consul issued a document granting permission to Jose and sister Lucia, widow of the late Mariano Herbosa, to return to Manila. Had not Despujol pardoned Rizal's relatives from exile? Had not Despujol shown himself to be a liberal and a friend of the natives? Against an inner voice that warned him this might all be bait in a

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trap, he sailed for Manila on June 21 st, leaving behind two letters of farewell in the care of Dr. Marquez.

The first was addressed: To My Beloved Parents, Brothers, and Friends: The love that I have always professed for you suggests this step, which the future alone will be able to say whether or not it was wise. Destiny judg'es acts by their outcome; but whether these be favorable or not, it will always be said that my duty has commanded me, and if I perish in obeying it, it will not matter.

I know that you have had to suffer much, still I do not regret what I have done, and if now I had to commence again I would do th~ same as I have done, because it was my duty.

Gladly do I expose myself to danger, not as an expiation for my faults (for in this matter I do not think I have committed any), but to crown my work and to attest with my example what I have always preached . . A man ought to die f01; his duty and his convictions. I hold to all the ideas ich I have published concerning the condition and the future of my country, and I shall die willingly for her, and even more willingly procure justice and tranquillity for you all .

I risk my life gladly to save so many innocent persons, so many nephews and nieces, so many children of friends and strangers who suffer for me. "Vhat am I? A single man, almost without a family, and sufficiently disillusioned about life. I have been deceived many times, while the future before me is dark and would be darker if it were not illumined by the lightthe dawn of a better day for my country.

On the other hand, there are so many persons who, full of hopes and dreams, may perhaps be made happy by my death, for I hope then my enemies will be satisfied and will no longer persecute many . innocent people. To a certain point, their hatred towards me is justifiable, but not with respect to my parents and relatives.

If fortune should go against me, you will all know that I die happy, in the belief that with my death I have secured for you the end of all misery. You will then be able to return to our country and be happy in it.

THE GREAT l\1ALAYAN Until the last moment of my life, I will be thinking of you, hoping that you may have all good fortune and happiness.

The second letter was addressed: To the Filipinos: The step which I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, no doubt, and I need not say that I have thought much about it. I know that almost everybody is against it; but I know also that almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart. I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account; I cannot live seeing my brother, sisters, and their numerous families pursued like criminals. I prefer to face death, and I gladly give my life to free so many innocents from such unjust persecution.

I know that, at present, the future of my country to some extent revolves around me; that if I die, many will exult; and that therefore many are longing for my destruction. But what can I do? Above all, I have duties to my conscience, I have obligations to the families who suffer, to myoid parents whose sighs pierce my heart; I know that I alone, even with my death, can make them happy, permitting them to return to their native land and to the tranquillity of their home. I have only my parents, but my country has many sons besides myself who can take my place successfully.

I desire, furthermore, to let those who deny our patriotism, see that we know how to die for our duty and for our convictions. '!\That maLters death if one dies for what he loves, fOT his motherland, and the beings he adores?

If I knew I were the only fulcrum for the policy of the Philippines and if I were convinced that my fellow countrymen would utilize my services, perhaps I would hesitate to take this step. But there are still others who can, with advantage, take my place. Furthermore, there are those who perhaps find me superfluous, and my services will not be utilized, because they have kept me inactive.

I have always loved my poor motherland and I am sure that I shall love her to the last moment, even though perhaps men are unjust to me; and my future, my life, my joys-all have

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been sacrificed for my love of her. vVhatever my fate might be, I shall die blessing her and longing for the dawn of her redemption.

Publish these letters after my death.

JosE

RIZAL

In his pocket, Rizal carried a letter to Governor-General Despu jol asking for an interview and stating that he would be at the Hotel Oriente to await word from His Excellency. Rizal never imagined that, the moment his ship pulled off from Hongkong, the consul sent a triumphant cablegram to Despujol: "Vessel Don Juan bringing Rizal." The trick had worked.

Like a sacrificial lamb, Jose voyaged to Manila hoping for the best, but ready for the worst.

)

CHAPTER XIV HE ISLAND was an emerald strip between the clear light blue of the sky and the deeper sapphire of the sea that morning of June 26th, 1892. A small ship glided through the waters early that day with effortless ease. The ocean was smooth and the sky was cloudless, for it was nearing the end of the dry season, and the stormy rain-laden monsoons from the southwest had not yet begun to blow. The vessel passed an islet, and went on through the mouth of a huge bay resembling the gigantic claws of some monster. Four hours away, at the inner edge of the bay, a city lay in seeming peace, while church bells rang their message to the faithful for it was Sunday. The city was Manila, and the ship was the Don Juan ) gone five days from the island port of Hongkong.

At noon, the Don Juan dropped anchor at the mouth of the Pasig River below Fort Santiago. A platoon of carabineers greeted its arrival, while two Spanish officers disguised in civilian clothes kept close watch over the two Filipino passengers from Hongkong-Dr. Jose Rizal and his sister. What a difference between this reception and that on his arrival four years ago! . After the usual customs inspection, Rizal took a cab for the Hotel Oriente located in front of the Plaza de Binondo. Jose found the district north of the river greatly changed. Three months before, a big conflagration had razed all the buildings from the northern foot of the Puente de Espana to the Plaza de San Gabriel-the entire business section from Calle Nueva to San Gabriel. The charred timbers gave a desolate aspect to the district, as if it were in mourning, although laborers were fast clearing the debris . â&#x20AC;˘ During the next ten days, Rizal had five interviews with Despu jol in¡ Malacanan Palace. Rizal pleaded for the freedom

T

244

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of his relatives and the withdrawal of the orders of arrest issued against his parents, brother, and sisters. Despujol, during the first interview, granted the elder Rizal's freedom, and later that of Paciano and the rest. The chief executive, however, was adamant against the Borneo colonization plan. Since the Philippines lacked hands to till the soil, Despujol argued, it would be highly unpatriotic to deprive the Islands of such labor for the benefit of a foreign land. Therefore, the Government could not officially sanction such a plan.

"All Filipinos," Despujol stated, "can contribute freely from any part of the archipelago, within the limits of law, to the prosperity of the country!"

As a result, the GovernQr-General offered to Rizal the lease of any land within <;l league or two of Kalamba for the dissatisfied residents of that unfortunate town. But as to permitting Filipinos to emigrate to Borneo-no sir! Not a single word more about it! Why, the Borneo colonization project, if carried out, would be prodaiming to the entire world the failure of Spain to keep colonial subjects happy and contented! Such an affront to Castilian dignity, pride, and honor was simply preposterous!

The Governor-General, in the following days, strained the machinery of government in an effort to find incriminating evidence against the ackno'wledged leader of Filipino nationalism. Learning that Rizal had not taken German citizenship papers simplified matters-there would be no international complications to worry about when he sprang the trap. Like a spider with his prey, he had lured the defenseless victim to Manila. Commanders of the guardia civiles in Lipa, Taal, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, and Laguna were ordered to keep strict watch over the residents of their respective towns and to report immediately the names of those who left for Manila at the time ot Rizal's arrival. Despujol must have figuratively rubbed his hands in glee; not only would he trap

THE GREAT MALAYAN the ringleader of the nationalist movement, but with Rizal as the bait he would also hook scores of sympathizers.

News of Rizal's arrival spread through Manila and the nearby provinces like wildfire. The author of the Noli and the Fili had returned! Dimas Alang had come back! Laong Laan ,was home! Many friends as well as enemies did not believe it until a decree was proclaimed banishing Rizal to Dapitan, a lonely outpost in the southern island of Zamboanga.

In the week after his arrival, Rizal met many of his friends and political sympathizers. There was Deodato Arellano, Timoteo Paez, Doroteo Cortes, Juan Zulueta, Moises Salvador, and many others. He made a short trip by rail to Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlak, partly to check up on the sales of his books and partly to sound out the sentiments of the leading Filipinos regarding a possible revolution.

He traveled incognito, using the name of Dimas Alang, the better to gauge the real opinion of his countrymen.

"Do you think we can have a revolution at present?" he asked Luis Navarro, a brother lVlason, and a resident of Tarlak.

"I believe that at present a revolution cannot prosper," replied Navarro, not knmving until later that his guest was the famed Dr. Rizal.

"Even though it has many followers?"

"Even then, for among those followers will be a Judas who will betray it to the authorities. Furthermore, I don't think the time is ripe for us to resort to that extreme."

Similar opinion, Dimas Alang found, prevailed among the other leading Filipinos in the places he visited.

Late that night, a minor commotion took place in the home of Navarro in Tarlak v,There Rizal was a guest. The inmates were wakened by cries in Tagalog of "Paez, Paez-give me some eggs-I have been poisoned!" It turned out that Dimas Alang had had a nightmare, dreaming that he had been poisoned and had naturally cried for a remedy to counteract its evil effects.

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If Dimas Alang had many friends in the open who were not afraid of being seen with him, he had a much larger group of sympathizers who sent anonymous not~s to him: "Rizal, leave immediately on any ship-the curate of Tondo has paid men to assassinate you the moment they meet you"; or, " Don't eat in the hotel for they (the friars) have bought out the owners to poison you"; and again, "The friars have just held a meeting, and lots have been drawn to murder you!"

Laong Laan took the necessary precautions: one or two of his closest friends always accompanied him everywhere, and after the first few days he took care to eat his meals in the house of some supporter rather than at the hotel. He knew his enemies were powerful and unscrupulous-they would stoop to any means to get rid of him.

On the third of July, the eve of American Independence Day, Rizal attended a meeting purposely called by Timoteo Paez and other patriots at a house on Calle Ilaya, in the populous district of Tondo, to discuss the proposed Liga Filipina.

There, Rizal informed them of the. plan he had conceived, and his listeners applauded the idea-with perhaps one exception.

This doubting Thomas was named Andres Bonifacio, employee of a brick factory and one-time stevedore, who read works on the French Revolution at night and dreamed glorious days when his beloved country might be free. Unlike the score of men who 'were present that evening, he did not belong to the bourgeois class-he was a laborer of the humblest class. Rizal did not know it, but Bonifacio was the prototype of the noblest character portrayed in the Noli-the peasant Elias. Even as Crisostomo Ibarra had failed where Elias would have succeeded, so would Rizal appear in comparison wit.h Bonifacio in subsequent events.

Finding that he had sufficiently toyed with his prey, Despujol called Rizal to a final interview on July 6th.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "Do yon insist on returning to Hongkong?" inquired the insular representative of His :Most Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain.

"Yes, sir," said Rizal.

The conversation dragged, until Despujol finally exclaimed: "Well, you can't leave!" The governor then revealed that some incriminating printed leaflets, "Poor Friars!" had been found in the bedroll of Lucia on their arrival, and for this Rizal would have to be imprisoned at Fort Santiago.

What a poor excuse it was to cause the arrest of any man!

The leaflet was a sarcastic attack on the friars, claiming that the Dominicans had lost millions of pesos in foolish ventures, and was probably prepared by Basa with Rizal's sanction in Hongkong. The material was a reprint of the facts published in European newspapers. Yet, because it attacked the Church, which was united in unholy wedlock with the .State, the leaflets were deemed seditious! Discovery- o~ the sheet had been made several days before, but failure to gather any more damning evidence forced Despu jol to make use of it. Any similar excuse would have served the purpose, as the deportation decree that came a week later proved. " If I'm guilty of sedition-bring me to tr.ial," was Rizal's message to the Governor-General, w4ile imprisoned at .Fort Santiago. " If I'm guilty, let the law punish me-but do not wreak vengeance that kills social instincts and activities-and if I'm innocent, then free me!'!

The challenge merely infuriated Despu jol into issuing the decree of exile for an indefinite period. On July 15th, Rizal was placed aboard the coastal steamer Cebu bound for Dapitan.

In the same decree, Despujol warned the public that any book or writing of Rizal in the possession of an individual was prima facie evidence of sedition-hence, .let all loyal subfects of Spain beware! "The responsibility for these harsh measures which are a painful duty for me to impose," Despu jol concluded sanctimoniously, "falls entirely on those who, with their ill-advised

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plans and ungTateful modes of procedure, seek to nullify the paternal foresight of this Government in general, making difficult the orderly march of Filipino progress."

But to the Minister of the Colonies in Madrid, Despujol reported: "From the moment I knew of his (Rizal's) arrival in this capita1, I knew what would be the object of his trip, but not 'ivishing to give reason for it to be said that the Government went to the extreme of taking harsh measures against certain elements, I left him comparatively free, 'w atching carefully all his acts until I obtained material proofs that, instead of being grateful for the beneyolence with which we treated him, he devoted himself to organizing a Masonic Lodge as the center of propaganda for his jdeas."

How did the arrest and deportation of Dimas Alang affect the various elements of the community? The Filipinos were thunderstruck-but did not lose hope, for they had expected it all along. Despujol dail;l1ed: "The press in general, the religious communities, the Spaniards, and prudent public opinion throughout the country have enthusiastically received that firmness of action which I now have the honor to forward to Your Excellency, praying for your approval."

To his parents in Hongkong, Rizal wrote on the eve of his d~parture for Dapitan: " I am going happy in the knowledge that the Governor-General has granted you liberty, and because I believe that where\'er I might go I shall always be in the hands of God, who has control over the destinies of all men.

In the eight days that I have been here in Fort Santiago, I have been well treated and I cannot complain, except for the fact that I lack freedom. But one cannot have everything at the same time."

Dapitan was a lonely tropical outpost on the northwestern coast of Mindanao, second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The name "dapit" in the Bisay,m dialect meant "to invite", Dapitan was the rendezvous for eight hundred families headed by Lagubayan, a i\lalayan chief of Bohol, who settled

THE GREAT MALAYAN in that region at the time of the arrival of Magellan in the sixteenth century. In the incessant but fruitless attempts at subjugation of the :Moros, the Spaniards had c:stablished an outpost in Dapitan, one of the many and minor spearheads of Spanish "culture, religion, and civilization" in Mohammedan Mindanao.

A Jesuit priest, Father Obach, attended to the spiritual needs of the little flock, while the government ,,,'as represented by the commandant of the district, Captain Ricardo Carnicero. Aside from these two there were Don Cosme Borromeo, a practicante) and a former exile who had decided to remain there, far removed from his ill-fated past. These were the only Spaniards, lords spiritual and temporal, of the sleepy little town of Dapitan when Rizal arrived there one gloomy Sunday evening in July.

Finding no room or house for rent, Rizal was forced to lodge with Captain Carnicero during the first few months of his exile in Dapitan. Father Obach, upon instructions from the Jesuit superior in ManiJa, offered Rizal the facilities of the convent on condition that the latter espouse the Catholic religion and give proofs of his loyalty to the government. Rizal preferred to live with Carnicero.

For the purpose of reporting to Despujol the real beliefs and feelings of Rizal, Carnicero drew out his prisoner in the long talks they had at the government house.

The leaflets found in Lucia's bedroll, Rizal was certain, were placed there in Manila. He was positive that had his sister brought the leaflets, he would have known about them.

"If I had been able to talk with her," Jose insisted, "I would have found out the truth about them. She would have been a fool if she had brought them-and I don't think she's that. Because of this incident, undoubtedly, I've lost a lot of prestige in the eyes of my countrymen, who'd call me foolish, unless they suspect that the leaflets were intentionally placed in the baggage of my sister. .. To tell you the truth, I do not resent the harshness shown to me by the Governor-General, be-

APPEAL TO DESPUJOL cause my country expects from him great reforms, and with that I am satisfied."

Rizal must have suspected that the conversation would reach the ears of Despu jol, and was careful of what he said.

Rizal then explained he could have 'written to his friends Pi y Margall, Linares Rivas, or Govantes, prominent lawyers of Madrid and all liberals, but to have done so might hinder Despujol from putting into effect the publicized reforms. Dapitan suited him perfectly, and the only thing Rizal missed was his family.

"Tell me," asked Carnicero, "what reforms do you think should be effected in this country?" "'I'll tell you," said Rizal, after a pause. "First of all, allow the Philippines to be represented in the Cortes, and this would stop the abuses committed by some people . Separate the friars from the government, put an end to the tutelage they exercise over the couI\try, and distribute the parishes as they become vacant among all the priests, regardless of whether they are from Spain or the Philippines. Promote primary education, removing all intervention of friars, and giving one half the positions of teachers to Filipinos. Reform all branches of the administration of the government so they will function honestly.

Create schools of arts and crafts in the capitals of all provinces with a population of over 16,000. Let there be freedom of the press and freedom of worship. These are my reforms. Once established as described, the Philippines will be the happiest country in the world."

"My dear Rizal," commented Carnicero, "your reforms do not seem to me bad at all! However, yOU are forgetting the powerful influence exercised by the friars in Manila as 'well as in Madrid, and for this reason it's almost impossible at present to put all your reforms into effect."

"Don't you believe it! The influence of the friars is fast losing ground in all spheres. I even dare to assure you that in any progressive government wherein can be found five or

THE GREAT MALAYAN six men of the type of Becerra, the friars would disappear from the land. They know perfectly well in Madrid what the friars are doing here. So much so that, in my first talks with Pi and Linares Rivas, when the latter belonged to the Liberal Party, they told me things which I, though born in this country, did not know. I could cite others like these gentlemen who know exactly the life and miracles of the friars in the Philippines.

But as they told me: 'The bad government in Spain is the reason for so much abuse on the part of, the religious corporations in the Philippines. The day things change, we the Liberals, will not forget 'this. In the Philippines-pardon me for saying so -the friars are not wanted and every day they are becoming more disliked and loathsome because of their meddling into everything. The deportation of my family was due to the complaint of a friar."

"Are you in favor of the expulsion of the friars?"

"No, sir, because III my country there's room for all the world. A few days after the Manifestacion of the gobernadorcillos of the province of Manila (March 1, 1888) , asking for the expulsion of the friars-I was then in ] apan-I was notified of the event by Perez Caballero, and friends in Manila later consulted me as to what course they should take. I answered them: 'As the Manifestacion was made without my knowledge, let those who prepared it suffer the consequences-I cannot give my advice on the matter.' " "A good part of your reforms, as you already know," the captain pointed out, "will be put into efÂŁ~ct early next yearbetter salaries for teachers, more schools, and other decrees which you have already read' about and which I think must have pleased you."

"That's true-I like them all-but I'm afraid they won't be carried out, because I agree with what the Consul told me on leaving Hongkong: 'General Despujol, who is motivated by the best wishes to introduce many good reforms, very probably may not stay in the Islands for the usual period. If the gov-

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ernment in Spain refuses the introduction of any of these reforms, you may be sure he will resign. General Despu jol is a perfect gentleman, and as such, rather than give way would resign as Governor-General of the Philippines.' Furthermore, he will meet with difficulties to be created by the religious corporations. I have charged my friends to support all his reforms."

Again Rizal was appealing to the chivalry and pride of Despujol, knowing full well that the conversation would be reported to Manila. Rizal, of course, did not know of the duplicity perpetrated on him by the chief executive-otherwise, he would have been more cynical about the probability of reforms. ((Amigo Rizal," said the commandant, changing the topic, "since you like this place and since there are good lands for cultivation which have been abandoned for lack of labor, why don't you bring your family and friends here instead of going to Borneo?"

"Simply because the English government gives us guarantees not granted by Spain. After cultivating your lands for many years, would you like the friars to come and take them away from you?"

"Here you'll be out of their reach, and for that reason you should change your views on this subject-besides, remember that this is your country!"

"Truly, you're right. 'As I've already told you several times, my family and friends could be happy here. But suppose they don't like the place and become more unfortunate than they are now?"

"Don't bother about such possibilities, amigo. If you really like this place, send for your family and friends, and I will guarantee, in the name of the Governor-General, that they will not find it hard here."

"Very well. Work for the transfer of the nine persons, friends and members of my family, who are now exiled in Jolo

254

THE GREAT MALAYAN

and after their arrival here, I promise you their families and friends will come."

"By the way," continued Carnicero, "regarding the proposal to increase by twenty the provincial doctors in the Philip. pines, you could probably get the post to be created in this district. Would you like me to speak in your behalf?"

"If my family came here, the position would suit meotherwise, I wouldn't accept. The PI,OOO salary of a provincial doctor, with full medical supplies, plus an agreed gratuity 路of half a peso per individual in tlie district, would mean around P3,000-not at all a bad salary and therefore almost worthy of acceptance. In other words, do what you please."

As a result of these conversations, Carnicero recommended to the chief executive the transfer of Rizal's exiled relatives and friends to Dapitan-only in this way could Rizal be won over to the side of the government. "If men are used to attract Rizal, then all is lost," warned Don Ricardo. "With them, Rizal does nothing except to discuss. One has to touch his heart with the sufferings and miseries undergone by his family, and for this purpose there's nothing better than the relatives already mentioned.' , Captain Carnicero had analyzed Rizal correctly. Throughout Rizal's life, his only regret over the consequences of his acts and writings had been the persecution visited on his family and relatives. As for using outsiders to win over Rizal, the captain was referring to Father Sanchez, former professor of rhetoric at the Ateneo.

Barely a month after the Filipino leader's arrival in Dapitan, Father Sanchez made an appearance on some missionary purpose or other, but in reality to make another effort to win over Rizal to the Catholic fold. It was true that a bond of affection existed between the former pupil and his master, and that Father Sanchez was the only Jesuit who had dared to defend the Noli before a gathering: these reasons probably motivated the Jesuit superior in Manila in using Father Sanchez as

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a special emissary. Unfortunately, Father Sanchez was no match in an intellectual battle with his former student. Although he had a great personal regard for his former teacher, Rizal would not budge an inch from his convictions.

"Father, you don't convince me," was Rizal's invariable reply to Father Sanchez after a heated discussion on religion.

"I do not believe in the Eucharist, or in the ceremonies which constitute the Catholic religion."

Father Obach was even less successful. Once, on the feast day of Saint Rocque , patron saint of Dapitan, he approached Rizal for a contribution to the fiesta.

"But, padre," countered Rizal, trying to keep a straight face, "how can your reverence expect me to contribute to the support of a rival? The day that Saint Rocque does everything, I, as a physician, will become superfluous in this world! " And Rizal refused to give a single centavo for the fiesta.

The failure of the two Jesuits induced their superior, Father Pablo Pastells, the most learned of th~m all, to enter the field. The Rizal-Pastells correspondence, probably one of the most important contributions to religious discussion in the world, through the exchange of letters, totaled a dozen bulky letters written over a period of several months. " My Dearest in Christ, Don Jose," was the way Padre Pastells opened his letters to Rizal. The Jesuit superior drew an imaginary portrait of Rizal, exclaiming "what a pity it was that such a brilliant young man had not devoted his talents to the defense of a better cause!" Then, Rizal's name, through his writings, would have won "immortal laurels, and (been) carried on the wings of fame before all the world; he would have been extolled by good people and his memory blessed by coming generations. Unfortunately for 路us, and with the greatest harm to a good cause, this arch-saint fell-as another has said-into the hands of the Philistines, and has not yet been able to recover.

There came a critical period in the history of his (Rizal's) youth which led him to go abroad. He departed from the Philippines

THE GREAT MALAYAN bitter with personal resentment, for reasons and motives which I neither can nor desire to judge at present. The thorn which he carried, driven into his heart, was an inflammation poisoning his spirit. The wounds left profound impressions on all his faculties, creating prejudices and distorting memories and sentiments from their proper value in his injured mind. His exaggerated independence of thought and extreme self-esteem made him finally pass the great bridge of non-essentials, and in Germany he took the great leap and the great fall which submerged him in the depth of falsehood, separated him from the Catbolic religion and the Spanish nation, and made him hoist the flag of rebellion. Indeed, the foreign enemies of our religion and our country foresaw this, and they worked for that objective with the greatest determin1.tion and art, confounding his clear intelligence by means of reformist and separatist doctrines, infecting his already wounded heart with the sectarian virus. Once he had drunk incautiousiy the venomous drug which they poured into the golden cup, the results Were inevitable. As a certain Austrian professor, his very good friend, had already predicted correctly, he was over-powered by the Protestants and a little later by the Free Masons. The first result of this conquest was the Noli Me Tangere and the second, El Filibusterismo."

"I have explained here in a few words," sighed the good padre, "my most beloved Pepe, the original cause of your present misfortune. If the blood of my veins could only erase those premIses ... " Rizal could only laugh bitterly at his portrait that Father Pastells had painted. SO THIS was the picture of Rizal that the Spanish clergy had conjured up! If they only knew of the life he had led in Europe-his innermost thoughts and feelings, as he poured them forth in his various diaries and letters ...

"My cause is good and for me this is sufficient," replied Rizal to the Jesuit superior. "I do not feel the humbleness of my cause or the poverty of its reward but only the limited talent that God has given me. .. As for the fame and glory

OUR RACE NOT CHOSEN BY US

257

that I might have reaped, I agree with you (that I might have gotten them by serving another cause) . .. But, as nobody chooses the nationality or race in which he is born-upon birth, privileges and disadvantages are already present by inheritance - I accept the cause of my country, confident that He who made me a Filipino will know how to pardon mistakes committed because of our difficult situation and the defective education which 'Ne have received since our birth. Furthermore, I aspire neither to lasting fame and renown nor to equal others whose conditions, faculties, and circumstances might be, and actually are, different from mine. 1\:1y only desire is to do all that is possible with what I have at hand. I have seen some of the light, and I think I should show some of it to my countrymen; others; more fortunate, may remain there at the heights."

Pastells' accusation that the student from Kalamba left the Islands with bitter resentment was admitted by Rizal. Such feelings, however, did not creep into the Noli) although they did perhaps in other and later works. "I was very young then," confessed Rizal, "and I forgave more easily than I do now, and no matter how deep were the wounds, they healed, thanks to the good constitution which nature has given me."

To the charge that his writings were influenced by Germans and Protestants, Rizal warmly countered with the facts: half of the Noli had been written in Madrid, a fourth in Paris, and the remainder in Germany. No German, neither Blumentritt nor Virchow, Jagor or Joest, had read the Noli before its publication. On the contrary, Rizal pointed out, his sojourn in Germany was responsible for dulling the edge of many of the barbs against the Catholic Church and the Spanish government. "I acquired a better perspective as my imagination cooled down in the midst of the unusual tranquillity of that country," he said.

All these reports about Rizal were erroneous and not worthy of belief by such a learned man as the superior of the Jesuits.

"The common man," explained Rizal, "when he finds some-

THE GREAT MALAYAN thing which surprises him, since he does not have the patience to analyze it, immediately attributes it to causes which trouble him most: if good, to friendly spirits; but if bad, to hostile spirits.

In the Middle Ages, everything bad was believed to be the work of the devil, and everything good came from God or the saints.

Just so today do the French see the German influence in everything that's bad."

Had Rizal become a Protestant? "Rizal, a Protestant!" he wrote. "A laugh romps in my breast which only respect for your reverence restrains. I wish you had heard my discussions with a Protestant pastor in the long afternoons, there in the solitude of the Odenwald (Heidelberg). There in conversations deliberate and unheated, speaking freely, we talked of our respective beliefs, of the morality of the different countries and the influence of environment' on various creeds. Respect for the good faith of my adversary and for ideas strange to me, such as the differences in face, education, and age might be expected to produce, brought LIS always to the conclusion that religions, whatever they may be, .ought not to make men enemies of one another, but brothers-and good brothers at that. From these conferences, which were continued almost daily for over three months, I think I gained nothing, if my judgment does not deceive me, except a profound respect for all ideas sincerely conceived and all religion practiced with conviction. Nearly every month, the Catholic priest of a neighboring little town on the banks of the Rhine came to visit the Protestant pastor, his intimate friend, and afforded me an example of Christian fraternity.

They considered themselves as two servants of the same God and instead of passing the time fighting, each fulfilled his duties, leaving to the Master to judge later which one of them better interpreted His will on earth.

"As for my being a Protestant. .. If your reverence knew what I have lost by not declaring myself such-you would not have said this. (Rizal was alluding to Nelly Boustead's requirement before she would accept him.) Had I not respected reli-

OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

259

gion, had I regarded it as a convenience, or an art of doing well in life, I would today be free, rich, and covered with honors instead of being a poor路 exile! ... " This was dangerous gTound, for who could know better of Rizal than Rizal himself? So Father Pastells turned to a safer topic-religion and politics--liberally sprinkling his letters with Latin quotations. Rizal countered with zest, making as liberal use of Latin in his replies.

Pastells insisted that Rizal was a Protestant, for was not the idea of making brothers those of all religions of Protestant origin? As for the Spanish domination in the Philippines, the Jesuit remonstrated, was not Spain's right to occupy the Islands divine and natural? For the Philippines to seek separation from Spain would in reality be the ugliest sort of ingratitude. Only through Spain could the Philippines make progress. Once separated, the Filipinos would inevitably fall into anarchy, chaos, slavery, and savagery.

Rizal countered that no one religion could claim exclusive rights in teaching the word of God. It was true he was not a great theologian. "Permeated by a vague yet irresistible sense of reverence before the superhuman, the infinite, I leave the studying of Him to clearer minds. I listen in suspense to what the religious people say, and not being capable of judging what surpasses my powers, I am content to study His creatures, my brothers and sisters, and the voice of my conscience, which can come from Him alone. I seek to read and interpret his will in my environment, and in the mysterious emotions which I feel within myself."

Spain's right in the Philippines-had not the padre read Rizal's annotations to the Sucesos of Morga? Ingratitude-then all the Latin American countries were ungrateful. To deny the Filipinos the capacity to govern themselves as well as Spain governed them would be a gross insult to human intelligence.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "Furthermore, who told your reverence that the well-being of my country, which is all that I seek, can be found only in the separation of the two countries?" .

Angered by Rizal's seeming obstinacy, Pastells confined himself in the succeeding letters to pur~ly theological matters.

Rizal replied by denying that Christ was God. "For me," he said, ~'Christ the man was greater than Ch~ist the God." In his next letter, Pastells devoted several pages to refutation of this heresy.

Rizal believed that the ultimate authorities on religion were reason and conscience. Pastells believed the final authority to be the Catholic Church. This was the crux of the entire controversy. Father PasteUs gave up writing to Rizal, whose words "froze" his soul. Everything came back ultimately to blind faith-and Rizal would have none of that.

"The shipwreck of your faith has been a fact," lamented Padre Pastells, "but a I is not lost, for you may yet be brought to the port of salvation. .. Sooner or later, you will return to the bosom of the Holy Mother, the Catholic Church."

Five years previously, on Rizal's last visit to the Ateneo, the Jesuits had failed to convert him back to Catholicism. The second attempt proved as fruitless. Neither through the heart nor through the intellect could Jose be weaned from his convictions. But the persistent Jesuits, the only members of the priesthood who took t.he trouble of trying to win him back, did not abandon their mission-they merely suspended activities until a more opportune time in the future.

Father Sanchez was eventually recalled to Manila.

Much later, an emissary of the friars, who heard of the Jesuits' failure to win back Rizal, offered the exiled doctor a professorship at the University of Santo Tomas, a hundred thousand pesos, and an hacienda if he would only retract what he had written.

"What my right hand did, my left hand will not deny," replied Rizal, as he stamped his foot in anger. "The two books

AN OFFER REFUSED that I have "written are like a mirror. If you are doing the things I have written about, then I have written about you. If not, then you have nothing to fear. You are trying to drown me in a glass of water, but you shall not drown me even in the ocean! " When his sister :M aria heard about it, she urged him to accept the offer. "Suppose they gave you half the Philippines?" she said.

"No!" was his emphatic reply.

"Not even for that!"

Possessing an abundance of energy which needed an outlet, Rizal, immediately after his arrival in Dapitan, planned ways and means to beautify the town. \'\Tor king with Father Sanchez, Rizal drew up a sketch of the public plaza and begged Carnicero to requisition {rom the government in Manila twenty-four iron chairs, two thol\sand six hundred meters of wire, and a set of tools. In front of the parish church, the pair constructed a huge relief map of :M indanao ou~ of stones, earth, and grass.

They helped place lamp posts at every corner of the town. Rizal also directed the construction of a water system. The water was brought from a crystalline river several kilometers away through ditches whose bott.oms were lined with cast-off tiles from the roofs of local houses. Bamboo tubes were utilized to cross the numerous gullies. For concrete, Rizal used lime burned from the coral of the sea.

Residents of Dapitan, as in all outlying communities of the archipelago, were of the peasant mentality and deficient in the social gTaces. Rizal, whose spirit of a crusader remained unquenched, tried to teach them manners . At parties, he was always careful to greet first the host and the women guests before paying his respects to either the commandant or the parish priest. Whenever he spoke to women of the town he always respectfully addressed them as "senoras" or "senoritas." This was a startling innovation in that lonely outpost, for the women were addressed in a more familiar manner.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "Hey, Ka Petra," some neighbor would yell, "do you mind feeding my pigs this noon while I'm away?"

Now, all women were to be called 'floras' . It was all very nice, and the townspeople who looked upon Rizal with a reverence akin to awe accepted the change with docility, until he decided that women should wear stockings while going to church.

Rizal himself never went to church while in Dapitan, and the ladies had never worn stockings in their lives, but these were no reasons why women could not dress up once a week in a more stylish manner. He prevailed on his female acquaintances to order dozens of hose from a Chinese trader who brought in the articles from Manila.

The following Sunday after the arrival of the merchandise in Dapitan, ladies 'wore stockings to church with their chinelas or slippers, for, of c'ourse, shoes were still unknown in that region. This did not seem incongruous, for that was an age when the well-dressed man did not consider a barong ,tagalog costume complete without a stovepipe hat. The women were the cynosure of all eyes, and Rizal Was .pleased. His success was shortlived, however, for somebody-probably Father Obach to goet even with the "heretical" exile-whispered around that stockings were worn only by women of ill repute! On the following Sunday, all women went to church without stockings.

The descendant of a family that valued land highly, Rizal was at first amazed at the abundance of fertile land which could be bought for a song or wrested grati~ from the wilderness. He had sailed on the seven seas, crossed two continents, and visited a dozen foreign nations in his travels, but this was the first time he had landed on any of the islands of his own country outside of Luzon, his birthplace. He was fascinated by the possibilities of Mindanao: the rich valleys, deep streams and vast forests of this virgin land. Why, here was enough land for generations of Filipinos to come! But always, at the back of his mind, there lurked the fear of the friars. Would any spot of this new land,

LANDOWNER once settled and converted into a prosperous community, be safe from them?

The first piece of land Rizal acquired i.n Dapitan belonged to the government, and Carnicero gladly donated it to him.

Rizal bought an adjoining lot for the trifling sum of eight pesos, thus becoming the proud possessor of eighteen hectares of land!

This was the first time he had owned real estate, and immediately visions of dedicating himself to agriculture filled him with enthusiasm. True, the land he had bought was hardly suitable for farming purposes: the ground was uneven and extremely rocky, aside from the fact that it was covered by a thick underbrush, cogon grass, and weeds. But w~th some planning and much hard work, the place could be planted with fruit-yielding trees, coconuts, and the banana-like hemp trees ...

After the series of misfortunes that had lately befallen him, Rizal had a stroke of good luck. He had made it a practice to buy Spanish lottery tickets, ever since he was a university student in Madrid. Two months after his arrival in Dapitan, the regular mail boat Butuan brought the news that the ticket he held had won one of the ,.larger prizes, and that he was entitled to six thousand two hundred pesos. Rizal 'was almost reconciled to being banished, for three days before, Father Obach had told him that the rest of his relatives exiled to ]010 had been pardoned. Rizal turned to becoming a gentleman farmer in earnest. This bit of fortune was timely: it softened the harshness of deportation to a lonely outpost in the tropical wilderness.

Gradually, he bought land in the nearby districts until he had acquired, before his departure, a total of over seventy hectares in which had been planted one thousand coconut trees and six thousand hemp trees, 1n addition to sugar cane and an extensive orchard.

Shortly after arriving in Dapitan, Rizal received letters from Lete and del Pilar, who both vehemently claimed that the figure satirized in the Soli was not he at all. 路 "Your eternal suspicions have made you see shadows where there are none, and

THE GREAT MALAYAN you seek motives, without thinking that some of them might do us harm," replied Lete. Plaridel denied that Rizal had been attacked by Lete.

"You are mistaken," del Pilar insisted. "How could I let him (Lete) attack you when I'm interested in your prestige?

How could it be when, in spite of what has passed between us -or rather, with you-I have not stopped hom aspiring to resume our bonds of old; for I consider the minor differences in procedure not sufficient to destroy our similarity in principles, objectives, and feelings?.. You will remember that once, while walking on the Paseo de Recoletos (in Madrid) -you were bound for Cunanan's house and I for the house of Don Miguel (Morayta) -1 said: 'Watch out, because one of these days we will wake up and find ourselves quarreling without knowing why.' You laughed at my remarks, and so did I. You could not concei~r e how, with both of us determined not to offend each other, we could ever be at variance with one another.

But that is what I then felt, like a vague foreboding. .. Later, such a thing came, and we found ourselves 'ivrangling. I have no proofs to back up 'what I'm saying: that the same hand which separated us in :M adrid is the one sowing disunion among us in our country. . . You and I, mine as "veIl as thine, are the victims of an insidious campaign."

These letters were written after news of Rizal's arrest had been flashed to :M adrid by cable. Fearing the judgment of posterity, Lete swore by his honor and by all that was holy that the creature satirized was not Rizal-but who else could it be?

Del Pilar declared that the article was inspired by reports of the appearance in l\Ianila of secret and radical agitators who might destroy all their '<\,Tork of propaganda abroad. Were the two sincere in their protestations, or merely trying to evade the serious responsibility for Rizal's return to :M anila and his subsequent arrest and possible execution? Or was it true that Rizal had erred in believing he had been satirized by the article?

It was too late to matter now. The die had been cast, and Ri-

LIBERALS IN MADRID zal was at the mercy of the very people he had so long fought against.

As the months dragged by, Rizal found time heavy on his hands. He began to practice his profession as a physician among the residents ot the district, 'without demanding a single centavo from those who could not afford to pay. Then he gathered about him a dozen of the younger boys and formed a class where he could teach them arithmetic, geography, and rhetoric. Rizal had a servant named "Culo" who acted as gardener and looked after the needs . of the household; for as soon as Rizal could afford it, he had a modest nipa hut constructed on the land he had bought.

In the meantime , important events were taking place in Madrid: the conservative ministry fell, c:nd the Liberals once more occupied the seat of povveT. Maura, famed for his progressive ideas, was appointed Minister of Colonies. The change in Madrid had its effects in Mani~a towards the end of 1892.

The deportation of Riz I antagonized the Filipinos and all true liberals, and yet proved an inadequate punishment to the reactionary elements, whose vengeance could be satisfied only by the flowing of blood: Despujol, therefore, proved highly unpopular with all parties and, like many another man before him, found that a compromise-the banishment of Rizal-satisfied no one. He was forced to resign from office, and the lieutenant-governor, Don Federico Ochando, became acting chief executive for several months.

Removal of Despujol, however, was the limit of the benevolent influence exercised by the new ministry over the Islands.

The conservative elements headed by the friar corporations, completely controlled the insular governmental machinery. No matter how often a liberal group seized power in Madrid, practically no changes were .registered in the Philippines. A progressive penal code was adopted in Spain, abolishing some of the medieval features. 'Vas it extended to thl;' Philippines? Theoretically, yes; but actnally, no. The vicious custom of taking

THE GREAT MALAYAN

legal action based on secret complaints reigned supreme in the Islands, as in the days of the Doges in Venice, when the Lion's Mouth became a dreaded symbol to all peaceful and innocent CItIzens. The Civil Code was also promulgated in the Philippines in 1889, but three weeks later Weyler suspended the articles relating to marriage, divorce, and civil registry. Why? The reason is obvious. Had civil marriages and civil registry been allowed, not to mention divorce, the stranglehold of the Church over the natives would have been gradually broken.

Worse yet church fees would have been threatened by the ne"w provIsIOns. If a young man and woman wanted to get married, they could do so before a judge; such a ceremony would be as legal as before a priest, and much cheaper. If civil marriage became popular, the r~venues of the Church would naturally decrease! This would never do, despite a corresponding increase in the income of the State. Who cared for the wellbeing of the State or the people?

Ministers might come and go in Madrid, but the friars remained entrenched in the Philippines! But not forever-for a solitary exile in Dapitan had sown the seeds of their destruction. Their days were l}umbered. The handwriting could be read on the wall, but destruction was not to come until he had made the supreme sacrifice of laying down his life for the country he loved so much.

The liberal government in Spain DID express its sympathies for the oppressed Filipinos by appointing a few natives to public pOSItiOns. But of what use 'was this except to glorify a handful of individuals?-Individuals of the caliber of Pedro A. Paterno, who was granted the Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic and appointed head of the Library-Museum in Manila. And for what? Because he had flattered Spanish politicians with gifts and dinners in "M adrid? Or because he was one of the most lukewarm of Filipino nationalists? Or because he had written a novel called Ninay? If they were looking for writers, fervent champions of nationalism, there were half a dozen men like

NEW IMPOSITIONS Rizal, del Pilar, Ponce, Jaena, and Pardo de Tavera. If they were seeking rich men, how about Don Jacobo Zobel or Don Pedro Roxas? To elect any of these gentlemen, of course, would have meant a public slap against the friars. Thus, as it often happens in this world, mediocrity reaped all honors, while real talent went unnoticed.

At the instigation of the Jesuits, Ochando removed Captain Carnicero because of the complaint filed by Father Obach that the commandant rarely heard Mass, and when he (Carnicero) did go to church failed to kneel even during the most solemn parts of the ceremony. Furthermore, the capitan ordered the butchering of a cow on Good Friday, and had the carcass carried in front of the parish church precisely at the moment people were coming out from Holy Week services! Why, this was a terrible sacrilege! Captain Carnicero must have acquired by continual association some of the "heretical" views of that arch-Mason, that impious fellow named Rizal!

The new commandant, Don Juan Sitges, captain of artillery by profession and a doct.or by training, treated Rizal harshly at first. Carnicero had also been suspicious of Rizal, but. the latter showed such unfailing courtesy at all times that the Spaniard could not help being attracted to him. What earlier happened to Taviel de Andrada also happened to Carnicero, for after a few mon ths the two became good friends, holding a high respect for each other. Rizal never failed to present himself personally once a day at the government house, or at least send word as to his location if he could not come in person. Rizal was determined to set the example that a native, a despised indio) could act like a perfect gentleman. He was an exilewell, he would show them by his acts that he was not the person the friars had claimed he was. He had many chances to escape on swift sailing boats, but because he had given his word to the commandant that he would not escape, he steadfastly refused to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way. â&#x20AC;˘

THE GREAT l\IALAYAN Sitges broke the familiar relationship that had existed between commandant and prisoner, gave orders as to where Rizal should be housed, and terminated the former custom of having meals with him. He even required his prisoner to report three times a day. Much as this rude treatment hurt his feelings, Rizal could do nothing. Wasn't he a prisoner? He could only shrug his shoulders in resignation and trust to fate.

As he told Sitges: "M y family is ruined. I, because of my face , cannot find a clientele in Europe. I can earn a living only in my country, among my people. Manila would be the best place, but if I settle down there the first rumors of an uprising will be sufficient cause for my deportation or execution. For the sake of peace and my welfare, my future lies in Dapitan, and that's why I've invested all my money here. That is the reason why I want to be assured that I will not be transferred from this place so long as I show signs of remaining quiet. That is why I aspire to regain my liberty. " In August, 1893, his aged mother and younger sister Trinidad came to Dapitan. Teodora Alonzo had stayed in Hongkong as long as she could, until her younger son's deportation became an accepted fact, but now the desire to be near him and the return of her old eye affliction made her undertake the voyage to the south. He operated on her, successfully, for double cataracts. However, she proved to be a hard patient to handle. Three days after the operation, she was up and around, despite his pleas. As a result, her wound got infected. "N ow I understand very well why a doctor should be prohibited from treating members of his own family," complained Rizal.

That December, he wrote to Blumentritt: ¡Tu, salus f idelis 1 eminisceris m ei! (You alone remain faithful to me!) Your postcard with its affectionate New Year's greeting from your family has arrived wie (IUS den Tann en waldern duftigrt1" hallch (like the perfumed breeze of the pine forests). I have seen anew the Ringplatz where we had that 0

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LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT small dinner, the Obel'gymnasium, etc. As so mClny memories surge anew in my mind, I can only exclaim with the poet Espronceda: ((Donde volaTo17, n'y! aquellns homs De juventud, de amOl" y de ventum, Regaladas de mlisiens sonOTaS A dOl'1?adas de luz y de heTmosuTa? Imagenes de om bullidoms Sus [lIas de enrmin y nieve pura Al sol de mi espeulnza desplegando Volaban aJI! en den-edol' eantando.

But, ailes ist hin (everything has disappeared), as you (Germans) say. The wings of the butlerfly have been singed by the brightness of the light... and the butterfly now lies on the earth, thinking of the rays of the sun, of the flowers, of the pure and tranquil atmosphere, of other regions.

Ie" wede wehhnutig wenn ieh lange damn denke; lass die Zeiten !ah,'w! (I feel melancholic when I think about it for a long time; let time pass!) Non ragionar di lor ma lascia passare e guarda, (don't talk about them, let it go and watch) I add, correcting Dante.

I'm a great fatalist, Oriental that I am, and I believe that from the present evil much good will come in the future; the flower is born from the decay of the fertilizer. From my present misfortune I'll get something good some day: I believe I have the seed. Chi sal-d, sara (What will be, will be) ...

My Tagalog grammar, or rather my studies on the Tagalog language, are already finished. I am now master compared to when I starten. How true is it as Cantu has said: he who starts a work is not even the pupil of him who ends it! ...

I'm going to tell yOll how we live here. I have a square house, another hexagonal in shape, and still a third one, octagonal in form, all made of bamboo, wood, and nipa. My mother, my sister Trining, a nephew, and I, sleep in the square house. My servants and some children, whom I'm teaching arithmetic, Spanish, and English, and once in a while some patients I have operated on, reside in the hexagonal liouse.

From my house I hear the murmur of a crystalline rivulet that comes from the high rocks. I see the beach and the sea

THE GREAT MALAYAN on which float two small boals, two canoes or barotos as they call them here. I have many fruit trees, mangos, lanzones, guavas, baluno, jackfruit, etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats, etc.

I get up early-at 5 o'clock in the morning. I visit my fields, feed my chickens, wake up my people and get things moving. At 7:30 we have breakfast: tea, curdled cheese, sweets, etc. Afterwards I treat my poor patients who come to see me.

I get dressed and go to town in my baroto, attend to the sick people there, and by noon return home where lunch is waiting.

Then I teach the youngsters until four o'clock, and the rest of the afternoon I dedicate to agriculture. I spend my evening reading and studying.

An individual appeared before me here, sent by certain persons who are considered as respectable by many, with the purpose of taking from me books and papers. I would have had nothing to do with him, but learned he was posing as my relative. I informed the Commandant who arrested him and had him sent to Manila. Et ille ipse declaravit missum esse a monarchis (len fratribus ex quibus receperat septuaginta quinque dollars. (He himself admitted having been sent by the friars from whom he received $75.)

This individual called himself Pablo Mercado, and had been sent by the parish priest of the neighboring province of Cagayan de Misamis, a Recollect friar, to secure evidence which could be used against Rizal. However, Rizal immediately reported the incident to Sitges, with the results already described in the letter. A few months earlier, three persons landed in Dapitan with the supposed purpose of selling scapularies and pictures of saints, but in reality to sound Rizal as to his political views. Rizal would have nothing to do with any of them. He had decided to wash his hands completely of politics.

Noticing the high regard held for Rizal by the townspeople, Sitges perforce had to relax the strict measures instituted against him. He even suspended the strict censorship of letters started by his predecessor. The commandant required Rizal to report only once a week in person, instead of three times a day; however, the prisoner continued to make a personal appearance

IN TOUCH WITH EUROPE nearly every day. Sitges secured Rizal's word that the latter would make no attempt to escape. The capitan probably realized that, despite all his vigilance, escape on one of the many barotos could easily be accomplished with the aid of friendly townspeople. Sitges instinctively knew that Rizal's pledge was a more trustworthy deterrent than all the soldiers and prison bars in the world, for Rizal was a man of honor.

Meanwhile, weeks and months passed with deadening regularity. With Dr. A. B. Meyer of Dresden and a few other European scientists, Rizal corresponded regularly, supplying them with specimens of local insects, animals, flowers, anthropological and geological observations. In return he received books al1d surgical il13truments. He undertook to learn a new dialect, Bisaya, and taught himself how to manage a sailboat on which he made long excursions to neighboring districts. His pupils increased to fourteen in number, for he charged nothing and made studying an interesting game for. them. He applied the theory of the Jesuits at the Ateneo, and offered prizes and other incentives for the boys to study harder. Early the following year, 1895, he taught his students to construct a dike of bricks and stones cemented with lime from sea coral; thus, during the dry season, his fields would have a steady supply of much-needed water.

Rizal noticed that Chinese vendors, as middlemen, had a monopoly of the retail trade in Dapitan, as elsewhere throughout the archipelago. He formed a company to engage in business, and incidentally to remedy that situation. He bought raw hemp from the neighboring farmers and sold it to Manila merchants. This business enterprise was beneficial to the local farmers, who got better prices for their product, and to Rizal himself. In one transaction, Rizal made a profit of two hundred pesos! He felt much pleased over his success as a businessman.

To break the Chinese monopoly, nevertheless, was no easy matter.

THE GREAT MALAYAN

"I have to argue a lot with the local commandant," he complained to Blumentritt, "who, in spite of being a good man, favors the Chinese and prefers them to the inhabitants of Mindanao. By chance the company prospers; we make something, and the poor residents of Dapitan become more active and contented. " A gentle breeze blows over here. According to all signs I should be free soon, although I doubt it. Who worries about me except my friends?"

Outside of his immediate family and Blumentritt, very few did worry about Rizal. He was lucky he was alive although in exile, many observers claimed. But Rizal who had foreseen what exile meant for a man of his intellectual attainments, found Dapitan monotonous. He would rather face a trial and a firing squad , than continue undergoing this living death. "Do not wreak on ~e punis~1ment which kills all initiative and activity," he had begged Despujol.

I When Ramon Blanco was appointed Governor-General early in 1894, relievin Ochando, the first thing he did was to make a trip throughout the Islands. He touched Dapitan, where he had a long talk with Rizal on the subject of the latter's deportation. Blanco granted Rizal's request for a transfer to some other spot, probably to Spain.

To remind Blanco of their conversation, Rizal wrote a formal letter requesting a decision on his case. The letter was dignified in tone, the request of a proud and innocent man in exile. But a second letter written previous to this, unfinished and never mailed, was a frantic appeal against the in justice of his deportation.

"Convinced as always," the draft read. "that our (country's) destiny lies in progress through suffering, and that the wellbeing of a society can be found only in its orderly evolution under a legal government. .. I have kept quiet, resigned to my fate. I have not formulated the least protest. " Furthermore, I am at an age in which illusions vanish before reality, in which one has to think seriously about life; at an age which, if not c

APPEAL FOR TRANSFER

273

utilized profitably, may result dismally for me and mine ...

My crime must have been to have desired that which is assigned to us (Filipinos) by the Constitution and our laws-to have wanted liberty. I say liberty, and not independence, because I know very well that a country can be independent and enslaved at the same time, as in many parts of Asia. On the contrary, we can be a colony and a dependency, but free and happy" simultaneously, as we can see in many countries of Oceania. Yes, Your Excellency, this is my crime!. .. Despite the persecutions visited on my family and myself, in spite of the bonds which have bound me until very recently, never have I made use of a medium which was not honorable, never have I stooped to an ignoble act to defend my ideals. .. In view of this, I ask your gracious and just administration to lift the order for my deportation, if there are no further reasons for it. If there are, then submit my case to the judgment of the courts!"

Governor Blanco, however, failed to fulfill his promise to Rizal regarding the transfer. Several months later, towards November of 1894, Rizal 'wrote another letter to the GovernorGeneral. If the administration would not consent to Rizal 's transfer to Spain, could they please send him to the Ilocos region? Vigan, the capital of Ilocos, rivaled Lipa in Batangas, San Fernando in Pampanga, or Iloilo in the south, and Rizal wanted to be sent there partly because hE. wanted to engage in some philological researches on phonetic changes in Filipino dialects and partly because life in Dapitan was so monotonous and wearisome. He fell sick-nothing serious, but debilitating.

He lost weight. Jose continually remembered those carefree days when he roamed all over Central Europe, drinking deep of the perfume of balsam, fir, and pine forests. If he had to continue leading the life of an exile, subject to the whims of those in power, a change of scenery would be most welcome. Blanco referred the matter to Madrid, where the request remained for months in a state of suspended animation.

274

THE GREAT MALAYAN

The year 1894 came to an end, and the first few weeks of 1895 passed in swift succession. So far, Rizal had desperately struggled against having his spirits crushed by the bleakness of that solitary outpost: he had devoted his waking hours to all sorts of activities; he was leading a useful life-but were these pursuits worthy of his talent? He felt terribly restless, and the enforced residence in one single spot chafed his melancholic but gregarious nature. He needed the companionship of some woman. True, there was his mother, T1ining, and other sisters who came for short visits, but these could never fill the void he felt in his heart. His seventy-seven year old father felt that death was near, and so Dona Teodora and Trining, after a year and a half in Dapitan, reluctantly left for Manila that February.

Jose hated to see them go, but after all his mother's duty was to be at the side of her husband. Life in Dapitan would then have become simply unbearable had not the same mailboat that carried his mother and sister away brought an elderly blind American engineer to be cured, accompanied by a foster daughter named Josephine Bracken-beautiful Josephine, she with the fire of Ireland in her blue eyes, and all the enticement of womanhood in the rosiness of her cheeks, the redness of her smiling lips, the pulsations of her throat, and the softness of her skin, as white as alabaster ...

CHAPTER XV HE arrival of the monthly mail was always an exciting day for the residents of Dapitan. On such occasions, Dr. Rizal was kept doubly busy. The steamer anchored bff Dapitan for several hours only, and within that period of time --sometimes in less than eight hours-he not only read all the accumulated mail brought by the ship and answered all letters that needed immediate attention, but also supervised the loading of hemp bales that his company was shipping to Manila.

Then he had to open the boxes addressed to him, to see that nothing was missing, inspect the merchandise ordered, prepare and sign bills of lading, and inquire about the proceeds of the previous shipment of hemp, in addition to going through the daily routine of attending to the needs of his numerous patients.

T

Many were the passengers who had disembarked at Dapitan, but none was so pretty, none so bewitching as Josephine Bracken. She and her uncle came from Hongkong, bearing a card of introduction from Julio Llorente. They had traveled all the way to this lonely tropical outpost because the fame of this Malayan oculist had spread beyond the confines of his native land. Forgotten were the many letters waiting for an answer, the bales of hemp to be shipped, <md the score of duties to be fulfilled on mail-day-for here was a vision of loveliness to grace that solitary spot of Eden. Jose immediately offered them the hospitality of his limited resources, installing them in a near-by house. Before many days had elapsed he found himself head over heels in love with this charming girl, and she-joy of joys!-showed the corresponding feelings towards him!

But what of Leonor? Alas, the butterfly from Kamiling had long departed from this world. She died of puerperal fever late in August of 1893, after giving birth to her second child.

275

THE GREAT :MALAYAN Galicano Apacible, who had just finished his medical studies abroad and was then staying at Dona Concha Leyva's house in Intramuros, visited her at the entresuelo of a neighboring house. Antonio Rivera, heart-broken over the lingering illness of his only child, begged Galicano to see her. Leonor could have fought her malady, and perhaps conquered it, but her spirit had been crushed by the union to a man she did not love, and she welcomed the relief of death. Perhaps the presence of an old friend, companion of the man she had loved so passionately, so faithfully since youth, might arrest her illness.

"Canoy", she whispered, recovering from her deliriUlTI, "thank God you have arrived!"

She gave A-pacible one long, questioning look, as if to say: "Jose, whom my heal't has always adored since it learned of love and ~ife-is he safe, well, and happy in Dapitan?"

Leonor's heart was full of unspoken words, messages she could never utter, for at her bedside sat a sorrowing husband.

How she would like to have unburdened her pent-up feelings and explained that this marriage was not of her free choicehow in her heart she had always remained faithful to her beloved Jose! Apacible, in return, would like to have answered that lingering glance, so pregnant with meaning, to have comforted her with assurances that Rizal had always loved her throughout the years--but his lips were also sealed by the presence of Kipping, and he could only exclaim: "Leonor, poor Leonor!"

She lapsed into unconsciousness. On the following day, a gentle and weary heart found eternal peace ...

R,izal received news of Leonor's death in silence. For him, she had died on the day he got her letter in Madrid announcing her marriage to an Englishman. It had not been at all easy to forget her, and now ... she was dead! She was to remain forever in his memory like the haunting fragrance of the kamya, faint but lasting.

JOSEPHTNE, TAUFER AND R I ZAL

Rizal's romantic liCe as an exile in Dapitan, Mindanao, has captured the fancy oC dramatists, anfl the above scene (a modern reenactment) shows the doctor examining his blind patient while Josephine stands by attentively.

(Courtesy Dr. [sidoro de Sontos)

JOSEPHINE LEAVES

277

. Josephine embodied all those qualities which attracted Rizal to Gertrude, to Suzanne, and to Nelly. She was all feminity in her sudden bursts of temper, followed by periods of sweetness. She was modest, but not bashful, and any observer would have deemed this young woman, for all her nineteen years, wise in the "\-\Tays of the world. Not a few there were, including the relatives of the exiled doctor, who looked upon her with suspICIOn. Rumors there were that she was not really the adopted daughter or niece of old man Taufer, but that she was a cafe singer in Hongkong when Taufer found her. Sisters of Rizal, at the opposite extreme, suspected her of being an emissary of the friars and prevailed upon their brother not to swallow a morsel of food prepared by Josephine without having her taste it first. All these doubts probably arose from the fact that Josephine and her uncle had acted familiarly, while on the same vessel on the way to Cebu, towards a woman friend of one of the friars detailed at the Cathedral in Manila. Nevertheless, Jose accepted her at face value, trusting to his own intuition and the promptings of his lonely heart, and in less than a month asked her to become his ,vile. .

When Jose asked Taufer's permission to marry Josephine, the blind man flew into a rage. Rizal had been treating him, but held out no hope of cure because the case was hopeless.

Either because of jealousy or because of his affliction that tormented him, or both, Taufer seized a razor with the intention of slashing his own throat. Fortunately, Rizal was able to seize both of Taufer's hands. Josephine cowered in one corner, until Sitges, hearing the commotion-for the blind man was swearing like a trooper- put an end to the incident.

Taufer left Dapitan on the next mailboat, in the middle of March, and insisted that Josephine accompany him. She consented to do so in order to avoid further scenes, but in Manila, she abandoned him to take refuge in the house of Rizal's mother, to whom she had brought a letter of introduction, as follows:

THE GREAT MALAYAN Dearest Mother: The bearer of this letter is Miss Josephine Leopoldine Taufer, to whom I was on the point of getting married; of course, with your consent. Our relations were broken at her suggestion because of the many difficulties that came in the way. She is practically an orphan; she has only distant relatives. As I am interested in her, and as it is very likely that she will decide to come back to me later, and as she may be left alone and abandoned, I beg of you to treat her there as hospitably as your own child, until she has a better opportunity to return. Treat Miss Josephine as a person whom I esteem and appreciate greatly, and whom I should not wish to see in danger or deserted.

Your loving son, JOSE RIZAL

She was a total stranger to Dona Teodora and the rest of the family, but it was enough that Jose loved her, so they welcomed her as his fiancee. A month later, J~sephine was back in Dapitan with the man she loved.

Her presence in Dapitan made life there entirely acceptable to Rizal. She lived with his sisters, to avoid any unfavorable gossip, until Jose could make arrangements for their forthcoming marriage. He was reconciled to his exile; if his friends in Kalamba did not care to migrate south, at least he would personally establish his own hacienda. The site he picked was Ponot, near Sindangan Bay to the southwest on the same island of Mindanao, which was only seven and half hours away by sailboat under favorable weather conditions. Ponot had a good harbor, plenty of fresh water, and pasture land that could feed thousands of head of cattle; there was enough room for at least forty thousand coconut trees, and more to spare. Rizal wrote to Governor Blanco for permission to settle in Ponot, and in due time the permit was granted.

Meanwhile, Jose was having his difficulties with Father Obach, who insisted on a retraction prior to marrying them.

This placed Rizal in a difficult position for although most

WITHOUT BENEFIT OF CLERGY

279

eager to marry Josephine-he abhorred "affairs"-it would be at the price of his innermost convictions. Yet, for a marriage to be legal and for it to be looked upon as such by the public, a church ceremony was necessary. He wrangled interminably with Father Obach who at last decided to consult the Bishop of Cebu regarding the matter. But upon the advice of his immediate family, and with the consent of Josephine herself, Rizal decided to call off all the negotiations with the parish priest and marry "without benefit of clergy."

Father Obach was shocked, and tongues in Dapitan wagged merrily. Sitges maintained an amused aloofness from the entire affair.

The presence of Josephine was like a draft of the perfume of the pine trees of t.he Rhineland, refreshing Jose's memory of the carefree days when he roamed through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the company of Maximo Viola. Thoughts of Leitzmeritz in Bohemia always recalled a chain of pleasant incidents that had occurred so long ago; but were still crystalclear as if they were only yesterday. .. Leitzmeritz with its beautiful island and the picturesque shore where a huge tree grew, its trunk naked of branches except at the top where green leaves formed a huge cup resembling palm leaves. .. Or in the salon of Prof. Klutschack, with its antique cabinets crammed with old and expensive porcelain, sipping beer ... and that walk .on the island-garden of the old Bohemian town, holding little Loleng Blumentritt by the hand, Loleng with blonde curls Streaming behind as she ran and waved farewell to the two Filipinos on the train. .. Jose needed only to close his eyes to ,b ring those scenes before his mind-were all those days part of ,a beautiful dream only?

"Ah, those rural excursions in Germany!" sighed Rizal, when he learned that Blumentritt had been on one. "You walk in the forests, pick strawberries, and fr:om the nearest tavern ask Rhenish wine, and with sugar mix Erdbeerenbowle -and if there be waldmiester~ that is also added! Afterwards,

THE GREAT MALAYAN arriving in a hamlet, food is ordered from a restaurant; the meal is eaten with appetite, and later to sleep under the pine trees, over a cushion of pine needles! How much I would now like to feel the chill of the northern climes!"

The death of Dr. Anacleto del Rosario, a pharmacist who had been his close friend since school days at the Ateneo, depressed Rizal considerably. They had been very close in their youth, for both were of a studious nature. "Only," Jose told Blumentritt, "in later years when, arriving at a certain height as in the trunk of a tree, he separated from me and we became two branches. He was a Catholic, a blind and ardent believer, and discussed nothing-I discussed and doubted everything.

Aside from this, he got along well; he was married, had children, and was a professor. If I speak of him before answering your letter, it is because, in the solitude of soul in which I find myself, I believe I can find nobody but you who can understand my sorrow. On seeing so many of my friends die, I feel as if I were growing very old. Now, only you remain; you haven't abandoned me, although you met me long after he did. How long will this communion of sentiment last? Don Anacleto was the best friend of my student days, in the same way that you are my closest friend in the land of unfettered thought. Your spirit, even more tolerant than mine, is the only one that can follow my thoughts without quarrelling."

The continuous nagging of Father Obach to the effect that he was living in "a state of sin," and recurring attacks of illness brought on by anemia because of the limited variety of food supply to be found in Dapitan, finally made Rizal that midDecember apply to the Governor-General for a transfer to Cuba.

Blumentritt had suggested the change, hoping that the appointment of his bosom friend as a doctor in the Antilles would be a welcome tonic to the exile's crumblins spirits. Yellow fever was decimating the population of Cuba, and that island colony needed medical assistance badly. Rizal had given up hope, more or less, of ever getting his freedom from the authorities.

CHRISTIVfAS IN DAPITAN Personally, he did not care where they exiled or imprisoned him. "My spirit will always be free!" he boasted. "As for my physical liberty, I believe that instead of helping it could damage me. I have arrived with my feeble strength at the greatest heights that I can reach, and I fear that if they let me walk further, I might start descending-much more rapidly than when I climbed up."

His failing health was the paramount consideration in the request for a transfer. Perhaps a change of diet and climate might reinvigorate him.

Christmas that year was the happiest he had ever spent in Dapitan, mainly because of josephine's presence. She was now big with child-his child, and he experienced a thrill of joy at being a prospective father. Would it be a boy or a girl? Whom would it look like? They killed a suckling pig, roasting it over live coals to a succulent brown, and made chicken broth out of a fat hen. Jose invited the neighbors to a Christmas party, and they all danced and made merry until dawn. On New Year's eve, they repeated the celebration, enjoying themselves thoroughly. The presence of an old friend, Capitan Ricardo Carnicero, added gaiety to both occasions; for Sitges had been relieved by Morales who, in turn, was replaced by Carnicero that December.

Josephine learned to live the life of Philippine rural folks: she kept house and cooked for Jose all sorts of native dishes.

Jose proudly sent to his mother in Manila some of the dried fish that Josephine had prepared, with the words: "They (the fish) were salted by the person who lives in my house. She is good, obedient, and submissive. We need nothing more than to get married; but as you yourself said: 'It's better to sin in the grace of God than to be married in mortal sin.' Up to now, we have not quarreled, and when I paiigaral (counsel) her she does not answer. If you come here, I hope you will get along well with her. Furthermore, she has nobody else in the world except me."

THE GREAT MALAYAN Undoubtedly, the Rizals in the intervening months had heard stories about Josephine and had began to look at her with distrust. Who was she, anyway? Was she REALLY the adopted niece of that blind Englishman-or something worse, a spy paid by the friars? . In every letter to his mother or sisters, Jose took care to send Josephine's best regards and to praise her virtues to the skies. "Josephine is better than her fame, " he wrote suspicious Trining, "and she's correcting her small defects with me. She is submissive, obedient, docile, and possesses a good heart. \Ve need nothing more than to pay a curate; that is, we do not need anything. Up to now, we have not quarreled; we are always happy and joking. The public can say this is a scandal-without doubt, it is. It's very scandalous to live better than most married people. We work and we are content. She'll do everything possible to become your friend, but what will people say? If you come and do not care to live in our house, you can ope n a store in town."

Jose was undergoing a common experience: he was trying hard to reconcile a suspicious family to his young bride, a total stranger.

And as for Josephine-there can be 110 doubt that she loved Rizal with all the intensity of which her passionate nature was capable. Otherwise, she would not have shared with him the hardships of his exile or braved public opinion regarding their common-law union, for in all such cases it has always been harder on the woman than on the man. The great love she bore for him purified whatever past she might have had. Yet, whatever suspicions the women of the family had for Josephine were intensified by a personal jealousy natural under the circumstances. Persons are apt to be more suspicious and jealous of one of their own sex than of another.

Some time early the following year, she was delivered prematurely of a boy child that died a few hour~ after birth. She gave birth following a violent quarrel with her husband: perhaps it was her fault, per,haps it was his-both had reason to

RrZAL'S PISTOLS

The Filipino hero was fond of target shooting while in Europe. These arms are now in the National Museum, Manila; at the center is a French target pistol of the .22 caliber variety, flanked by two percussion cap and ball pistols of the 18th century.

REINHOLD ROST

English authority on Oriental languages and dear friend of Rizal. His death greatly saddened the Filipino hero who was then exiled in Dapitan.

(Court esy Trin idad Rizal)

DR. ROST'S DEATH feel on edge. Anyway, that June he packed her off to Hongkong by way of Manila, 路 gave her much money (received from his more wealthy patients) , and dashed off the following ditty for her to remember him by: josefina, josefina, Que en estas playas has venido Buscando un hogar,un nido, Como en-ante golondrina Si 路tu suerte te encamina Shanghai, China, 0 jajJon, No te olvides que en estas playas Late por ti un COT(l.ZOn.

Perhaps news that his application for a transfer to the 110cos had been spiked by the very same group that had once opposed him, put Rizal in a savage humor. "I have so many enemies!" he revealed to his mother. "And the same paisanos and friends who are in Madrid worked so that I might not be able to leave this place! I'm told that those who hindered my transfer to Vigan were my FRIENDS in Malolos: I don't know who they are, but God will pay them. .. I have employed the energies of my youth serving my cQuntry, although my paisanos do not want to admit it; nevertheless, it cannot be denied that we have got something in that Spain路 has paid attention to the Philippines-this was lacking before. The rest, God and Spain will do-this is my hope. My services are no longer of value ... " Perhaps the news of Dr. Rheinhold Rost's death had plunged Rizal into a period of melancholy. The friendly scholar had felt greatly his forced retirement from office, and during the last few years of inactivity had aged rapidly. To Rizal, Dr. Rost was a second father and the latter's house in Primrose Hill, near the Beckett's, was a real home for the young Malay doctor. "I wish and pray," Rost had written in a shaking hand in his last letter to .Rizal six months before, "that Heaven may grant me before I die the great blessing of behold-

THE GREAT MALAYAN ing your dear face once more. My health is very poor; constant cares and worries have brought on diabetes, and my vital strength is waning. What work I am able to do is only for adding to my slender pension. If I could do literary work of my own choosing, I should feel happier. It is a great treat for me to converse with old friends."

Blumentritt informed Rizal in April of the English philologist's death. Dr. Rost was taking a train for Canterbury, where he was scheduled to deliver a lecture. at the university, when an attack of apoplexy caused instantaneous death.

During the last twelve months, so many friends had died: Drs. Czepelack and Willkolm, Nordman, Schadenberg, Abreu, Antonio Paterno, Dr. del Rosario, and Aguirre-Aguirre who was fond of writing to him letters in chabacano) the Cavite dialect. Jose did not know it, but in Spain, Lopez Jaena had also died only that February, poor and disillusioned. While Rizal was being sent to Dapitan, Lopez Jaena was visited by one of his brilliant inspirations: why not become a deputy in the Spanish Cortes? He would show Ponce, del Pilar, and the others that he was not yet through. The radical elements in Barcelona were his friends: the Republicans were willing to put him up as a candidate from one of the Catalonian districts. Unfortunately, Lopez Jaena paid scant attention to the need for money in political campaigns-and his glorious dreams went tumbling down into the dust.

"Alas! so many of my friends are dying," wrote Rizal to Blumentritt. "Constant cares and worries, the climate, the place, and faulty nourishment, have brought on anemia ...

My vital strength is waning too! I do not wish to complain to my friends of my situation; I know that others are worse off; but if I complain it is only because of not being able to see the faces of those who have-as the aged and wise Rost did-loved me well and who have died without our having seen one another! If I did not believe in the immortality of the soul,

FRIENDS PASS AWAY I would invent it to re-kindle the hope of being able to see him once more."

Like the melody of a half-remembered song, those lines of Thomas Moore kept running through Rizal's mind: When I remember all The friends so linked together I have seen around me fall Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, Whose lights are fled Whose garlands dead And all but me departed!

How much more lonesome would Rizal have felt had he known that a few months later, on July 4th, Marcelo H. del Pilar was to die in the home of the Fernando Canons in Barcelona! Only the mighty molave of the Filipino nationalists remained, but even he would fall before the last day of that fateful year of 1896.

The year 1896 was one of unrest in the Philippines. On November IS, 1895, the weekly Solidaridad appeared for the last time. As the journal was not allowed by the authorities to circulate in the Philippines, subscriptions stopped, and for lack of financial support publication of the Soli ended. By an ironical twist of fate, del Pilar, Ponce, and the remainder of the paisanos in Madrid veered around to Rizal's former political ideas, convinced that the redemption of the Philippines lay only through revolution, because the Spaniards would never grant concessions to Filipinos voluntarily; on the other hand, Rizal,路 grown more practical and conservative, and after a first-hand survey of Island conditions, firmly believed an insurrection at that period would prove futile!

A new star, in the meantime, was rising above the horizon -Andres Bonifacio! When the plans of forming the Liga Fili-

THE GREAT MALAYAN pina were frustrated with the arrest and subsequent banishment of Rizal, Bonifacio sadly realized that the severity of the Spanish government had to be met, not with frankness or protestations of loyalty, but with stealth and cunning. Thus did the secret organization, the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak Ba)'an~ come into existence. The "Supreme Most Respected Association of the Sons of the People" soon became known as the K.K.K. or the Katipunan. Bonifacio imitated the secret ritual of masonry: the password, grips, and the pledge of loyalty and silence. Members signed an oath with the blood taken from their veins. On paper, the Katipunan did not seek the independence of the Philippines, but only "POLITICAL RIGHTS." In reality, as the repressive measures of a frightened government multiplied, the Katipunan advocated the overthrow of the Spanish domination in the Philippines at the point of the bolo.

By the month of April, 1896, the Katipunan had made phenomenal progress in the Tagalog-speaking regions where Spanish severity was most felt. Local leaders arose: Emilio Aguinaldo and Artemia Ricarte, both young school-teachers, in Cavite; Miguel Malvar in Batangas; Manuel Tinio and Mariano Llanera in Nueva Ecija; Torres Bugallon in Pangasinan; and many others. But Bonifacio needed the magic name of Rizal in the organization. Without the knowledge and much less the consent of Rizal, Bonifacio pretended that he was backing the society. Realizing that Rizal was the acknowledged leader of the Filipinos . who idolized him, and that the exile's endorsement of the association would prove of immense value in the complete acceptance of the movement by the upper class, the Katipunan dispatched an emissary, young Dr. Pio Valenzuela, who traveled south as companion to a blind old man, in order to allay the suspicions of the authorities.

Once alone with Rizal, Valenzuela revealed the real motive for the trip and the objectives of the Katipunan. Rizal proved sympathetic with the ideals of th~ society, and Valenzuela an-

REVOLUTION nounced the fact that although without arms the more fanatical members might start the revolution.

"I don't approve of that," said Rizal. "Never start a revolution without arms against an armed nation. Its consequences would be fatal and disastrous to the country. Filipinos will necessarily lose because of lack of arms. Once they are victorious, the Spaniards will annihilate those Filipinos who love their country; they will use all means to oppose the intellectual, moral, and material progress of the Filipinos who, sunk in misery, will find it harder to start another revolution. Cuba, which counts with the protection and help of the United States, because it failed in it~ first uprising, found it hard to launch the second . and third revolutions in which it now finds itself.

The Philippines does not yet count with the aid of Japan, although I hope she will help us, because it would be very hard to start a second uprising should the first one fail.

"When I was in Japan, a Japanese minister placed at my disposal three merchant ships to transport arms to the Philippines. I wrote to a rich Filipino in Manila, asking him to lend me two hundred thousand pesos with which to buy arms and munitions, but he refused."

Valenzuela was frankly skeptical about rich Filipinos joining the revolutionary movement. This class, with its money and prestige, could greatly help the society but it was also the most conservative element among the people because it stood to lose the most in case the revolution failed. Rizal suggested that this group should be kept neutral if it refused to join the movement. Then he revealed his ambition to establish a college for Filipino students in Japan.

Turning to a more practical topic, Valenzuela urged Rizal to flee from Dapitan. This matter, Rizal replied, was easy to solve. In fact, Regidor and Basa had plotted to charter a steamer with which to "kidnap" Rizal, thus circumventing the latter's pledge to the commandant, but the exile would have none of it.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "When it is a matter of the redemption of our country," said Rizal, "we must never turn our faces backward just because of a single man."

"But if the revolution starts ahead of time and you're still in Dapitan-the Spaniards will shoot you!" warned Valenzuela.

"To die victorious is pleasing," answered Rizal, "but to die in defeat is painful."

Valenzuela returned the following day on the same steamer, to give a report of his conversation with Rizal to the leaders of the Katipunan.

Josephine, in the meantime, found that the separation was a torture she could not bear, and prevailed upon sister-in-law Narcisa to accompany her back to Dapitan. Jose was at first annoyed by her return, but the quarrel was patched up, and peace once more reigned until Governor Blanco's letter belatedly and unexpectedly arrived on July 30th, granting Rizal permission to go to Cuba "if he (Rizal) wished to continue with the idea."

Rizal and his small family immediately packed their belongings and left on the same boat that had brought the governor's letter. He felt sad on leaving, as he always did everywhere he resided, for Dapitan, although a prison, had also been a home and a haven of refuge during these past four years. All the residents of Dapitan, with the exception perhaps of Father Obach, were sorry to see him leave. Numerous were the patients among the townspeople whom he had cured, and his fame had spread to all the southern islands, such that scores of sick men and women ~mbarked on frail barotos for Dapitan just to be cured by this {(Doctor Uliman."

They arrived in Manila the first week of August, two days after the small mail boat had sailed for Spain, and Rizal was therefore forced to wait a full month for the next steamer, the Isla de Panay.

Rumors of an uprising were again ripe and Rizal, who knew that the situation contained dynamite, decided not to

PRISONER BY CHOICE become involved in the affair. Above all, he wanted to prove to the authorities that he had no hand in the plot to revolt. So, at his own request, he remained aboard the cruiser Castilla anchored in Manila Bay, isolated from any outsider~ except immediate members of his family . . "Fearing that my stay in Manila for a month might only cause me sorrows, I let the general know, while waiting aboard, of my desire to be isolated from the rest of the world, except my family," he related to Blumentritt. "In this interval of time, serious disturbances occurred in Manila, disturbances which I lament, but which serve to show that I am not the one who stirs up things ... " Leaders of the Katipunan had not despaired of actively enlisting Rizal. When Rizal was transferred from the interisland steamer to the cruiser Castilla on August 5th, an attempt was made to rescue him. Emilio Jacinto, Bonifacio's right-hand man, and several followers disguised as sailors, boarded the launch Caridad which was to transfer the prisoner to the cruiser. The ruse was possible because the master of the launch was one of the most ardent advocates of the Katipunan.

Jacinto, pretending to be swabbing the deck with a mop, was able to get near the prisoner, out of earshot of the guards.

"If they're holding you prisoner," he whispered, "we will free you-for we are well armed!"

Rizal was taken by surprise. He had purposely asked to be sent to the Castilla to avoid all implications, and now here was the long hand of the Katipunan out to reach him. Surprised, Rizal replied: "Do nothing of the kind! Let me work it out, for I know what ought to be done."

A strolling guard put an end to the conversation.

What did Rizal mean by those words? Did he have some plan in mind? There can be no doubt that he sympathized with the objectives of the Katipunan, and condemned it only because he sincerely believed such a movement was premature.

These rabid nationalists, men like Bonifacio and Jacinto, were thinking the way he had thought a few years ago in Madrid; J

THE GREAT MALAYAN but since then, after much pondering on the subject, he had come to the conclusion that Blumentritt was right; neither the Philippines nor its inhabitants were ready to overthrow the Spanish rule by force. He wanted to hold back his countrymen to wait until the time was ripe. Had the revolution burst forth during his lifetime, he would have undoubtedly thrown his lot with them. As he told Alejandrino in Brussels: " I will never head a disorderly revolution that has no probability of success, because I do not want to load my conscience with the imprudent and futile shedding of blood; but he who wishes to head a revolution in the Philippines, will find me at his side!"

But when the time DID come for him to join the man who headed a revolution, Rizal purposely held himself back. He was convinced the hour had not yet come, and therefore abstained from joining any revolutionary movement. The terrible lesson of 18'72 was uppermost in his mind, and he feared a revolution at that time was doomed to a disgraceful failure.

Perhaps in ten or more ye-ars .. .

The fundamental difference between Rizal and Bonifacio was this: one was a thinker, the other a doer. Bonifacio, the plebeian, was obsessed with only one thought-a revolutionand his one-track mind would not allow the thought of any other possibilities to cause him to deviate from his course. Rizal, the intellectual, was hampered by doubts because he could see all angles to a situation. Rizal's favorite Shakespearean character was Hamlet, probably because there was so much of the Hamlet within him. And the Prince of Denmark, even as the peer of Filipino nationalists, and all true intellectuals, was torn by that eternal question: "To be or not to be ... " Thus did Rizal decide to flee to Cuba, following a course he had previously condemned in others. He had sent his application for Cuba at a time when the Philippines was apparently peaceful. The application was granted after a lapse of six months, when peace and quiet had given way to rumors of an upnsmg. Not to take advantage of the transfer might have

OFF TO CUBA given the authorities grounds for believing he was somehow connected with the Katipunan, especially in view of the fact that the association had med his name freely for propaganda purposes. What a terrible dilemma he faced! All that he could do was to counsel secretly the Katipunan not to embark immediately on such a bloody journey; he could not very well reveal to the authorities what he knew-he was no traitor. Rizal was enmeshed in a web of circumstances over which he had no control, and each passing day brought him nearer to his doom.

Rizalleft Manila on September 3rd, aboard the Isla de Panay, with mixed feelings of regret and relief: regret at having to abandon his aged parents, his family, and Josephine; and relief that he would not witness the forthcoming bloody upheaval in the Islands. Already, clashes had taken place in the barrios nearby to Manila between the followers of the Katipunan and the guardia veteranas or police. On August 19th, the Katipunan had been exposed to the authorities by the parish priest of Tondo. A week later, Bonifacio and his followers embarked on a course from which there was no return: in the barrio of Balintawak they tore their cedulas or poll tax receipts by which the government identified all loyal subjects.

Once in Singapore, Don Pedro Roxas, who was also on the way to banishment, got off the boat and told Rizal to stay behind with him. But Rizal would not. In his pocket he carried two letters written by Governor Blanco testifying to his exemplary conduct in Dapitan. "He is in no way connected with the disturbances which we are now deploring," stated the letters in part, "neither with conspirators nor with the secret societies that have been formed."

"I should do the same as Roxas," Rizal confided to another fellow-passenger, a Spanish liberal while ashore. "I don't know why these letters do not inspire me with confidence. What do you think of Blanco?"

"He's a perfect gentleman," replied the Spaniard.

THE GREAT l\tlALAYAN "I should stay behind with Roxas-what would you advise me to do?"

"I dare not, Rizal. Consult your conscience."

"No!" declared Rizal, after a few seconds of thought. "A fugitive? Never! They would declare me an accomplice in the insurrection. By all means, to Rome. Blanco will save me in all cases."

Rizal overcame his doubts and boarded the ship, while Roxas remained behind, a free man. The same temptation assailed him in all the ports on the way, however, when sailing time came around, Rizal was always to be found aboard the Isla de Panay.

But Blanco, although kindly disposed towards Rizal, was helpless before the demands of the friars. ' In the three weeks that the Isla de Panay took to reach Port Said, the Spanish population in the Islands trembled in their shoes with fear. Rumors were current everywhere that the Katipuneros would murder all Spaniards, and as J. result all elements of the Spanish community rallied to the support of the reactionaries, who demanded that the country be purged of all revolutionary activities at the point of the gun! The Katipuneros wanted blood-well, blood they would have! countered ' the rulers. More than four thousand Filipinos were arrested and questioned, under threat of torture, to reveal what they knew, and in these testimonies invariabl y there appeared the name of Rizal. The statements did not implicate Rizal, on the contrary all evidence pointed otherwise, but that did not matter; he was the acknowledged leader of the Filipinos, and the authorities were bent on using him as an example. Blanco therefore cabled to the ship's captain in Port Said to arrest Rizal and ordered the prisoner's return to Manila on the first available vessel.

The order of arrest was such an u'n expected blow that Rizal cried on hearing it. V\Tith a hand still trembling with emotion, he wrote to Blumentritt, denouncing the treatment he had received: "I left :M anila confident of going to Cuba to gain

ARRESTED

293

renown and to live down false accusations. Now they tell me 1 will have to go to Ceuta! I cannot believe this, for it would be the greatest injustice and most abominable infamy-worthy, not of a military man, but of the lowest type Df bandit! I offered to serve as a physician, risking my life and leaving behind all my business affairs: I ' am innocent, and now as payment they are sending me to the penitentiary! I can not believe it! This is infamous, but if it comes to pass as all tell me it will, I am letting you know in order to judge my situation."

For three days Rizal was imprisoned in the fortress of Montjuich. Fourteen years ago, his first view of Barcelona on the express train from Marseilles had been the hill of Montjuichwho would have imagined he would ever become a prisoner in that hateful spot? By an irony of fate, Despujol, the very same man who had lured him to Manila on the strength of a safe conduct, was the Captain-General of Catalonia province, and together they had a lONg talk.

Rizal left Barcelona for the return journey on October 6th aboard the Colon. This was the fifth time he was crossing the Indian Ocean, but under such different circumstances! The firs't time as a young and eager student, out to see the world and to imbibe the wisdom that Europe had to offer; the third time, bitter about his ~baisanos abroad and disillusioned that his nationalistic objectives could not be accomplished outside of the Philippines; and now, the fifth and last time, a prisoner, facing a trial at the end of the voyage and possibly a firing squad!

News of Rizal's arrest spurred his friends abroad, notably Regidor, to make one final effort to free Rizal. Regidor knew perfectly well that under existing conditions, if Rizal ever touched Philippine soil, the latter's' life was doomed. Manuel Camus, a young Filipino merchant in Singapore, tried to secure a writ of habeas corpus from the British authorities, but as the mail boat carried aboard Spanish soldiers to the Philippines, it was deemed a war vessel and therefore beyond British jurisdiction.

294

THE GREAT MALAYAN

The last attempt to save Rizal had failed. He journeyed to Manila with a tranquil conscience and a foreboding that perhaps his greatest aspiration-to die for his country-was yet to be fulfilled at the end of this fifth and final voyage.

CHAPTER XVI HE weeks that followed after the Colon had dropped anchor in the Pasig river seemed to Rizal like a dreadful nightmare in which he was swept against his will towards his destiny.

T

A frantic Josephine tried to visit him at Fort Santiago, where he had been taken, but was refused admittance. A week later, she was able to see her beloved. She sobbed brokenheartedly upon beholding him.

"What are you crying about?" he comforted her. "In a few days I shall get back my liberty. I am quite innocent."

Colonel Francisco Olive was charged with the preliminary hearings of prisoners whose testimonies allegedly implicated Rizal in the revolt. The investigator questioned Rizal about his dealings with those who had testified. Rizal answered each question, giving a minimum of information and avoiding statements which might be used against anyone.

"What was the object of Pio Valenzuela's trip and what did you talk about?" asked Colonel Olive.

"Dr. Valenzuela told me that an uprising was about to take place", replied Rizal, "and told me to look out for what might . happen to me in Dapitan. I told him it was not timely to start such things, because union did not exist among the different elements in the Philippines; we had neither arms, nor ships, neither education, nor the other means for it. I told him to take Cuba as an example, where, in spite of possessing the means, with the help of a great power, and the fact that the Cubans are accustomed to fighting, they could not get what they wanted.

I said that regardless of the outcome, it would be convenient for Spain to grant concessions in the Philippines-and for that reason, I believed it would be better to wait." \

295

29 6

THE GREAT MALAYAN

'.'Did you form in :Madrid an association of Filipinos, what name did you give it, and what were its purposes?"

"I forget just at this moment its name, but I started an association of Filipinos in :Madrid which had a brief existence, and its object was to improve the morals of the Filipino colony."

"What were the rel~tions between this society and the newspaper La Solidaridad?"

"Each was independent of the other. Marcelo H. del Pilar worked for La Solidaridad and also directed the activities of the association. But as I found in :M arcelo a strong opposition to my ideas of a fusion (between the two entities) I left the presidency of the society and went to Paris."

"What political tendencies were followed by that society?"

"None-the political side was entrusted to the newspaper La Solidaridad) edited by 'Marcelo H. del Pilar."

"Have you asked somebody, or did you work yourself in founding Masonic lodges in the Philippines?"

"I can assure you I did not in the least take part in Masonry in these Islands."

"But did you not draw up the statutes or rules of a society called Liga Filipina?" insisted Olive.

"When I arrived in Hongkong in 1891," related Rizal, "I stayed in the house of Don Jose Basa who said in our many talks that Masonry had been successful in the Philippines, but that the Masons were greatly dissatisfied with the way they were organized. Prompted by Basa, I drew up the rules and regulations of a society called Liga Filipina on the same basis as Masonic practices."

"What were the aims of the Liga Filipina?"

"To secure union among the various classes of the country for the purpose of encouraging commerce by establishing a sort of cooperative association."

"What were its political objectives?"

UP FOR TRIAL

297

"I don't remember at this moment having given any political motive to the statutes. I gave them to Jose Basa and I don't remember to whom he sent them."

Rizal was evasive, giving general answers-his memory surprisingly grew hazy in many respects.

"Do you know Andres Bonifacio, president of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan?" demanded Olive.

"I know him only by name," Rizal truthfully replied. "I do not know him personally. When I was present at the meeting in the house of Doroteo Ong-junco, I met many persons, but I do not remember his name or his looks."

"How," persisted Olive, "do you explain the fact that your picture was found among members of that society?" . "I had some pictures made in Madrid of a certain sizethey could have obtained a copy. As for their having used my name as a war-cry, I can't understand it because I nev~r gave them the excuse to do so, and I consider this an outrageous abuse ... " This was all the testimony that Rizal gave. On the recommendation of Colonel Olive, Governor Blanco appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez a special judge to try Rizal's case.

Under the military court system, then followed in the Philippines, Rizal never had a chance to cross-question the witnesses.

Nevertheless, some outward fiction of justice had to be observed in order to justify later the action they were about to take.

When a list containing one hundred names of first and second lieutenants was submitted to Rizal on December 9th in order that he might choose a counsel-for he was not allowed a la路w yer-the name of Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrada caught his eye. Don Luis was a brother of Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrada, who had "chaperoned" Rizal in 1887-88. Rizal was not mistaken in believing that the sterling qualities of Don Jose were also to be found in brother Luis.

So far, Rizal had hopes of being ~cquitted for, as the testimony plainly showed, he was neither directly nor indirectly con-

2g8

THE GREAT MALAYAN

nected with the Katipunan or the plot to overthrow the Spanish government by force. Valenzuela, whose testimony could have damaged Rizal most, lied purposely and told Spanish authorities that the latter had vehemently opposed the Katipunan in such strong terms that he (Valenzuela) had hurriedly left Dapitan.

However, Blanco had not pleased the reactionary elements by his passivity in the last few months; true, he had imprisoned thousands, but blood did not flow freely on the streets as they had expected. l Blanco was relieved of his post on December 13th, and Camilo Garcia de Polavieja, second ranking man in the government and the good friend of the friars, was appointed to the gubernatorial seat. The change sealed Rizal's fate.

Rizal was sufficiently imbued with Oriental fatalism to resign himself to his destiny. Polavieja's assumption of power dashed any hopes Rizal might have had of obtaining justice and thereby being acquitted. He had desired a trial since he was sent to Dapitan, because he knew they had no grounds to prosecute him in a court of justice, but now he had a foreboding that somehow or the other they would pin on him the responsibility for the insurrection.

To give further proofs of his innocence, and to forestall the shedding of much innocent blood among his countrymen, Rizal volunteered to write, on December 15th, a manifesto addressed to his countrymen in the following terms: On my return from Spain I learned that my name had been used by those in arms as a war-cry. The news came as a painful surprise; but, believing the incident to be closed, I kept silent over what seemed irremediable. Now I notice that the disturbances are continuing. If any persons, in good or bad faith, are still making use of my name, I hasten to write these lines to make known the truth, to stop the abuse, and to undeceive the unwary.

1 In an interview with Wenceslao Retana nine years later, Blanco insisted that he would never have approved the death sentence on Rizal, and begged that this fact be made pu blic.

CALL FOR PEACE

299

From the very beginning, when I first had notice of what was being planned, I opposed it. I fought it and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. This is the truth, and living persons can testify to my words. I was convinced that the scheme was utterly absurd and, what was worse, would bring great suffering.

I did even more. 'Vhen later, against my advice, the movement materialized, of my own accord I offered not alone my good offices bu t my very life and even my name to be used in whatever way mig'ht seem best toward stifling the rebellion.

Convinced of the ills which it would bring, I considered myself fortunate if, at any sacrifice, I could prevent such useless misfortunes. This is equally of record.

Countrymen: I have given proofs that I am most anxious for liberties for our country, and I still desire them. But I place as a prior condition the education of the people, that by means of instruction and industry our country may have an individuality of its own and make itself worthy of these liberties. I have recommended in my writings the study of civic virtues, without which there is no redemption. I have also written-and I repeat my words-that reforms, to be beneficial, must come from ABOVE, that those which come from BELOW are irregularly gained and uncertain.

Holding these ideas, I cannot do less than condemn, and I do condemn, this uprising as absurd, savage, and plotted behind my back-it dishonors us Filipinos and discredits those that could plead our cause. I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all part in it, pitying from the bottom of my heart the unwary who have allowed themselves to be deceived.

Return, then, to your homes, and may God forgive those that have acted in bad faith!

The manifesto, however, never passed beyond the hands of Nicolas de la Pena, the counsellor appointed by Blanco to assist military officers with his advice on law proceedings. In effect, Pena, pointed out, the manifesto counseled Filipinos to lay down their arms because the revolution was certain of defeat and later he (Rizal) would lead them to the promised land. Pena claimed that the manifesto, instead of pacifying the inhabitants, might further incite them to rebellion!

300

THE GREAT lVIALAYAN

Rizal's interest in the entire affair changed from personal to academic. Now he was almost certain they were going to condemn him to death, and in the solitude of his cell at Fort Santiago he began on the first draft of a poem, Mi ultimo Adios starting with the unforgettable stanza: J

Farewell, dear Fatherland, thou sun-kissed pearl Of the Eastern sea, our ruined Paradise!

My hapless life I gladly give thee now, And were it a shining, fresh and youthful life, I still would lay it down for thy happiness.

A military court of seven officers was created on Christmas eve, and Polavieja immediately forwarded to that body charges prepared by his secretary, as if the accusations presented by the military prosecutor, a lawyer, were not enough.

On Christmas day, Rizal was given the list of members of the military court and asked if he objected to any of the names in it. What objections qmld he make? The officers were as strange to him as the man on the moon. He could only shrug in agreement. That Jast Christmas day must have been the loneliest in his life: confined to a grim cell, with a death sentence staring him in the face, with his loved ones prevented from seeing him-how bitter that day must have seemed! "Peace on earth! and Goodwill to all men!" were ,words-mere words.

The trial was held on Saturday, the twenty-sixth, in the banner room of the Cuartel de Espana in Intramuros. The court convened at eight o'clock in the morning. Rizal, central figure in that tragic drama, walked into the courtroom ten minutes later, guarded by seven soldiers. A death like silence reigned when Rizal made his appearance. He wore a dark suit, with a white vest and tie. His hair was neatly parted, as usual.

He sat on a bench, his elbows tied from behind. A soldier stood on each side. Rizal calmly looked around the room, noticing Josephine and one of his sisters, who stood out conspicuously in the crowd of Spaniards that overflowed the room.

SELF-D EFEN SE Colonel Dominguez opened the proceedings by reading the charges against the defendant, followed immediately by the prose<;:uting attorney whose bombastic speech concluded with the words: "1 ask in the name of His Majesty, the King-God bless him-the death penalty for Don Jose Rizal, as the author -of all these crimes!l '" You are going to decide, in the solemn role of judges, the destiny of Rizal. But in the solemn moment of your decision, do not forget that justice is asked by the many victims who fell because of the insurrection, who sleep in eternal repose under this soil which will always be Spain's! . . ," Wild applause greeted the fiscal's plea. It was apparent the crowd thirsted for blood. Rizal was visibly moved by the concluding paragraph of the fiscal's address. So they were trying to load on his shoulders the entire responsibility for the revolution!

The defense counsel, Taviel de Andrada, took the floor.

His speech was simple and to the point, but he was without experience, and a buzz of annoyance rose from the public when he finished.

"Do you have anything to say?" the presiding judge asked Rizal.

The prisoner rose and complete silence once more reigned as he read several paragraphs which he had drafted as additional arguments in his defense.

"1 want the court," Rizal began, "to consider the following points: First, regarding the rebellion. From July 6, 1892, 1 have not meddled at all in politics until July 1st of this year when, told by Don Pio Valenzuela that'an uprising was being planned, 1 was against it and tried to convince him with arguments. Valenzuela left apparently convinced for, instead of 1 The crimes of having founded illicit associations and of having incited and promoted sedition and rebellion.

THE GREAT MALAYAN

.,

taking part tIes .... "

In

the rebellion, he surrendered to the authori-

One by one, Rizal proved by actual facts how impossible were the charges against him., "Some have said that I am the leader (of the revolt) ," he continued. "''''hat kind of leader is this to whom the followers do not reveal their plans, and tell him only when they want him to escape? What kind of a leader is this to whom when he tells them 'no', they say 'yes'?

"As to my conduct during the four years of my exile, you can ask the district commandants, the townspeople, and even the missionaries, despite my private differences with one of them. l All these facts destroy the ill-founded charges against me, proofs of which I have asked of the judge (Dominguez). Is it sufficient proof to admit that in a single night I was able to call together all tili usteros in a meeting 2 where we spoke of commerce, etc.?-a meeting that e ded there, for shortly afterwards the Liga died. If the few persons who were there could have' taken me seriously, they would not have let the association die. Is it because some of those who were actually in the Liga that night later formed the Katipunan? I don't think so.

Who went to Dapitan to speak to me? Persons who were complete strangers. Why did they not commission some person known to me so that I could confide in him? Why? Because those who knew me, knew very well that I had abandoned politics, or, knowing what I thought about revolutions, refused to take such a useless step.

"I hope I have proved by these arguments that I have neither created a society with revolutionary aims nor taken part later in such activities. Neither have I taken part in the re1 Rizal was probably referring to his disagreement with Father Obach about marrying Josephine.

2 At the house of Doroteo Ong-junco.

SENTENCED TO DEATH bellion-on the contrary, I have been against it, as proved by the publication of a private conve'r sation." 1 Although Rizal's words caused some impression among his hearers, as a whole they disregarded his arguments. Such was the attitude of the Spaniards at that crucial moment in history that no amount of truth could change their prejudiced opinion.

To them, Rizal was the visible head of the revolt, and they fondly believed that putting an end to his life would put an immediate end to the insurrection.

The trial ended at 11: 45 a. m. The courtroom was cleared in order to let the judges deliberate on what sentence they should pass upon the prisoner. A large, mixed crowd of Spaniards, mestizos, and Filipinos thronged the streets adjacent to the Cuartel. By 1: 30 p. m., the officers composing the court began leaving the building. A verdict had been unanimously reached. A few hours later, like an electric shock, the news traveled around among\ the people in the streets that the court had decided on the death penalty for Rizal!

The court condemned Rizal to death, and in the case of a pardon to suffer perpetual civil interdiction-unless otherwise specifically mentioned in the pardon-to be subjected to lifelong vigilance by the authorities, and to indemnify the state in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos. De la Pefia concurred in the decision, and on the twenty-eighth Polavieja approved the sentence, decreeing that Rizal be shot "at 7 o'clock in the morning of December 30 in the field of Bagumbayan, with the formalities required by law." Early Tuesday morning, the twenty-ninth, Captain Dominguez read before Rizal the sentence of death. Protesting against the entire proceedings Rizal signed at the bottom of the document to show that he had been informed of its contents.

Twenty-four hours to live, and then-eternity!

1 The

conversation with Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan.

THE GREAT :M ALAYAN Dream of my life, my living, flaming desire, All hail to thee! So greets my parting 'soul; All hail! How beautiful it is to fall That thou mayst rise, how sweet to die that thou Mayst live-to die beneath thy cloudless sky, And in thine enchanted lap forever sleep.

Starting at seven o'clock that morning of the twenty-ninth, a relay of Jesuit priests in pairs kept company with the condemned man who was transferred to the fort's chapel. The tenacious sons of St. Ignatius de Loyola had never given up hope of converting their former pupil to Catholicism and subjected Rizal to a terrific mental pressure.

The local correspondent of the newspaper Heraldo de Madrid~ Santiago Mataix, managed to enter the prisoner's cell for an interview. The journalist found Rizal as cool and collected as if the latter were in his own house. Rizal took the hat of the visitor with the words: " Nothing is lacking-I'm in my house and tlierefore allow me to fulfill the duties of courtesy towards those who honor me with their visits."

A conversation followed, during which were recalled the days when Rizal was still in the Ateneo. One of the Jesuits mentioned that the prisoner had been president of the Congregation of San Luis, to which Rizal protested: "Father, you'll remember that I was never president, but secretary. I was then very small and could not preside. You will notice that I have never presided over anything in my life-I have been and I am very insignificant."

The subject shifted to the Noli Me Tangere.

"I was then a poor, unfortunate man," related Rizal, in a philosophical and reminiscent vein. "One whom the cocheros of Manila cheated; and at whom even the banqueros of the Pasig poked fun. The Filipinos themselves were not well acquainted with my unfortunate doings. .. But I left for London, and there I noticed that I was being passionately attacked.

They (the friars) were preaching against my book. They de-

MADRID CORRESPONDENTS tested me, and I believe they even conceded indulgences for the reading of pamphlets wherein I was insulted. As a result every sermon, in the eyes of my countrymen, became a homily; each insult, a eulogy; and every attack, a new propaganda for my ideas. Why deny it? Such a campaign made me vain; but believe me-and you know more about it than I do-I deserved neither the importance of such censures¡ nor the fame that my partisans have given me. Those who have had dealings with me will neither puff me to the horns of the moon nor have me shot. I am a harmless sort of person. Those who are most fanatical about me know me not. If the Filipinos had known me well, they would not h<:tve made my name a battle cry.

"If they (the friars) had only followed the counsel of Padre N ozaleda, ¡who was then rector of the College of San Juan de Letran, not to give importance to the acts of a youngster or his works, instead of intensifying the campaign against me, I would not be here today, and who knows-the insurrection might not have started in the Phjlippines!"

Rizal bitterly complained about General Blanco, and also related how he could have escaped in Singapore. A guard entered, terminating the conversation, and Mataix thanked Rizal for the interview.

Another correspondent of a Madrid newspaper secured permission to interview Rizal. This journalist reported Rizal as saying: "Conversations with prominent Spaniards have made me a filibustero because they have made me desire the independence of my country. When I was in Madrid, the Republicans told me that liberties are secured by bullets and not by kneeling down."

Jose wrote two letters that day to the two men closest to his heart: Blumentritt and Paciano. To the former he wrote: "When you receive this letter I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven o'clock I shall be shot, but I ~m innocent of inciting the rebellion. I die with a tranquil conscience. Farewell, my dearest and best friend, and think no evil of me." â&#x20AC;˘

3 06

THE GREAT MALAYAN To Paciano, he wrote a longer letter: My dear brother: It is four and a half years since we have seen each other, neither have we exchanged letters nor words-not because of any lack of love on my part or yours, but because, knowing one another so well, we do not need to talk in order to be understood by each other. Now that I am about to die, it is to you that I dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sorry I am to leave you alone in this life, burdened with the weight of the family and our old parents! I am thinking how hard you have worked to give me a career; I tried not to waste my time. Brother of mine: if the fruit has been bitter, it is not my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much for me-I am sorry. I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. That my former writings may have contributed toward it, I cannot wholly deny; but then, I thought I had expiated for the past in my deportation. Tell our father that I remember him, and how much! I remember his affection and love since my earliest cht路ldhood. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I have unWilling y caused him.

JOSE RIZAL

Sunset came, and still the Jesuits had not worn down his resistance: for every argument they put forth in favor of Catholicism, he had another to refute it.

Jose's aged mother, his six sisters, a niece, and a small nephew were allowed to enter one by one to bid him good-bye.

When the guards refused to allow the mother to embrace her son, he angrily exclaimed: "Cowards, before very long Spain will be out of the Philippines!"

To his sister Maria, Jose said: "Maria, I'm going to marry Josephine. I know you all oppose it, you, especially. But I want to give Josephine a name. Besides, you know the saying in the Bible: 'The sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation.' I do not want them to persecute you or her for what I have done."

PARDON DENIED Members of the family were not allowed to come near for fear that they might slip some poison to Jose. The food that they had brought in the last few days was not given to the prisoner. Had Rizal known it, he would have laughed out loud.

Would he frustrate all his life-work, his aspiration to die for his country, by taking poison? Preposterous!

To Narcisa he bequeathed a wicker chair; to his niece Angelica a handkerchief; to Mauricio, seven-year-old son of Maria, a belt and a wat.ch with chain. He had wanted to prepare a will, but the authorities said that everything he had of valueincluding his lands in Dapitan-were forfeited to the state as part payment of the one hundred thousand peso fine imposed by the court. He was dying, then, as poor as when he had come into this world, leaving no direct descendant to whom he could transmit by heredity the legacy of his genius-to nobody, except his country!

That evening, the mother, sisters, and Josephine waited at Malacafian Palace with tears streaming down their cheeks, to seek from Polavieja a pardon-but in vain. In Madrid, the elderly lawyer Pi y Margall begged Canovas del Castillo, president of the Council, to intervene for the pardon of Rizal-but also to no avail.

All that long night the Jesuits ceaselessly pounded Rizal with arguments. It would have been futile to submit him to torture, for it would have merely fortified his spirit. Paciano, who had been previously arrested and tortured, refused to sign a statement implicating Jose in the revolt; the Rizals were made of sterner stuff, and not in vain had they reverted from Mercado to the name of Rizal as a badge of defiance to the authorities!

The events which took place in the life of Rizal during the next six or seven hours are a matter of controversy. Some say that he repented all his attacks against the Catholic Church and voluntarily asked for pen and paper to write a retraction which reads: "I declare myself a Catholic, and in this religion, in which I was born and educated, I wish to live and die. I retract with

308

THE GREAT lVIALAYAN

all my heart anything in my words, writings, publications, and conduct that has been contrary to my character as a child of the Church. I believe and profess what it teaches, I submit to what it demands. I abominate Masonry as the enemy that it is of the Church and as a society prohibited by the same.

The Diocesan Prelate, as the superior ecclesiastical authority, may make this manifestation public. I declare this spontaneously in order to repair any scandal which my acts may have caused, and so that God and men may pardon me."

That such a retraction existed was strongly doubted by many historians for nearly four decades. Evidence of its existence was based mainly on the claims of the priests who were with ~izal on that night in Fort Santiago. But in 1935, the document of the retraction, together with a booklet containing acts of 路faith, hope, and charity, which Rizal had signed at the bottom of the page, and other important papers, were found in the archives of the Archbishop of Manila. The issue then shifted to the question: Is the retraction genuine or a forgery?l Those who believe in the authenticity of the retraction claim that although Rizal had rejected Catholicism as practised by the friars in the Phili ppines, he was not against the Catholic religion itself, and cite the fact that Rizal had found the same religion abroad beautiful and inspiring. The shrewd Jesuits might have argued that a religion should not be condemned because some of its servants were bad. If he yielded to the importunities of his mentors, Rizal must have felt that he was only sacrificing his private views and that his retraction would not 1 At my request, a detailed study of the retraction was made by Prof. H. Otley Beyer of the UniversilY of the Philippines, who is considered by Major Jose P. Guido PA, acting chief of the Division of Investigation of the Department of Justice, as the best of the local handwriting experts. Prof. Beyer's conclusion was: "The document under question is genuine."

The same conclusion was reached by Dr. Jose I. del Rosario, graphologist, in a separate and independent invesligation conducled at the request of the Archbishop of Manila. On the other hand, the first to make a study of the handwriting used in the retraction , Ricardo Pascual, declared that it was a forgery. Not until the majority of handwriting exper~ reach a definite conclusion on the retraction can impartial historians write with certainty on this subject.

RETRACTION? harm the cause to which he had dedicated his life. Were not all his countrymen, with the exception of a few score who had studied abroad, believers in the Catholic faith? Then the Jesuits must have pointed out the material advantages of such a retraction: the persecution of his family would cease once the authorities satisfied their lust for his blood. Time and again, he had lamented the fact that his friends and his family had suffered so much from the hands of the authorities because of him. And, what was more important, he could contract a canonical marriage with Josephine. No retraction-no marriageand the feeling of chivalry was so ingrained in him that this reason might have swayed him to return to the Catholic fold.

Furthermore, Rizal NEVER denied the existence of a God, and he DID believe in an after-life.

On the other hand, those who believe the retraction a psychological impossibility claim that Rizal was not the type to turn weakling at a cruc:ial moment like that. All the years of his manhood had been devoted to breaking the stranglehold of corrupt religion in the Philippines-would he voluntarily nullify his lifework? Certainly not! If the Jesuits had twice failed to win him over, at the Ateneo and in Dapitan, it was highly improbable for them to win him on the third attempt.

Furthermore, he had affirmed to Padre Pastells that he did not believe in Christ or the Catholic Church. And how could Rizal's family be spared of further suffering when they had already been subjected to the limit short of death, such as confiscation of land, exile, imprisonment, and other persecutions?

As for a canonical marriage to Josephine, had he not turned it down in Dapitan because it would have been a betrayal of his ideals? Since he authorized the Diocesan Prelate to publicize his retraction, why did the authorities not do so in order to stop his followers from joining the revolution? Even if the retraction were genuine, much of its value would be lost because it was obtained by means of mental duress; for there can be no

3 10

THE GREAT MALAYAN

gainsaying the fact that the incessant hammering on Rizal was in reality a mental third-degree much worse than any bodily inquisition.

But whether it may be proved that the retraction is genuine or not, we can never be 'sure what happened to Rizal in the last few hours of his life: if he did retract, he might have done so with mental reservatio.ns; if he did not, he might have undergone a last hour conversion-we can never tell for a certainty.

At 5: 30 a. JIl. on December 30th, Rizal had breakfast with the officers of the .guard. Then he dashed off the briefest of notes to his be~oved parents: "Pardon me for the pain that I have given you in exchange for .the sacrifices you have made in g~ving me an education. Neither did I want nor expect this. Goodbye, father, goodbye! ... " At 6 o'clock came Josephine and Trining, weeping disconsolately. 路 At Jose's request, Father Balaguer is said to have married him and Josephine. Trining remained outside.

Jose felt a deep compassion for Josephine. In her twenty years of life, she had known so little happiness. When she found it in Dapitan, it was only for a brief if glorious period.

And now, he was about to hurt again her grieving heart. " Take care of my dead body," he said to her. Then he seized 路 the copy of Thomas a Kempis' book and wrote on the flyleaf: "To my dear and unhappy wife, Dec. 30, 1896."

"What are you going to do after my death?" he asked. ''I'm going to the Imus rebel camp," she whispered back, fiercely, her Irish heart undaunted by so many guards near-by.

Bless her courageous heart!

The squad of soldiers which was to escort the prisoner to Bagumbayan came, and the pair were separated. As he went forth from the chapel to the courtyard, Jose whispered to Josephine and his sister: " I want you to have my alcohol lamp_to and in English "-there is something inside."

Inside the lamp, carefully folded to fit the receptacle .from which the alcohol had been emptied, was the paper on which

( Courtesy Natio nal Library )

JOSEPHINE BRACKEN

To Rizal leading the life of a lonely exile in Dapitan, she was a vision of loveliness, reminding him of those happy days when he roamed all over Central Europe-a free man.

MY LAST FAREWELL

31 I

Mi Oltimo Adios had been written. On the wings of poesy, he was expressing his last thoughts, his politicaL testament to an oppressed people-to an enslaved country.

The rays of the morning sun filtered through the leaves of the trees in the courtyard. It was a beautiful morning, as December mornings in the Philippines usually are, and dew drops on the leaves glistened like so many diamonds ...

I die just as the east begins to glow With the light of dawn, and, through the lifting veil Of darkness, heralds forth the coming day.

If thou hast need of scarlet to tinge thy morn, Pour out my blood in answer to thy need, And gild it with the dawn's unfolding light.

The escort was formed and the advance guard moved. A trumpet spoke. Feet marched in time with the muffled rattle of the drums. The guard was composed of four soldiers with drawn bayonets . . About three meters behind marched Rizal with Lieutenant Tavie] de Andrada at his right and a Jesuit priest at his left. Rizal was dressed in black with his usual neatness: he wore a white vest, a black necktie, and a derby hat. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, but the cord was sufficiently loose to give his arms freedom of movement. From his right arm hung a small black rosary. About ten meters behind the prisoner came a guard of fifty soldiers.

The procession marched slowly. Less than eight spectators lined the street from Fort Santiago to the Plaza de Palacio in front of the Cathedral. Everybody was out in Bagumbayan to witness the actual execution. Passing the square, Rizal recognized a friend, a young lawyer by the name of Don Eduardo Gutierrez Repide, whom he had first met in Dapitan three years before, and he bowed his head slightly as the latter tipped his hat. The group paused for a few seconds before passing through the narrow Postigo Gate leading out of the Walled City to the Malecon, which was deserted.

THE GREAT MALAYAN Rizallooked at the sky. Never would he see another morning like this. .. never would he see the cool waters of Manila bay reflect the clear blue sky. .. never again would he see a flaming tropical sunset, all the colors of the rainbow against the gold and silver of late afternoons-no, nevermore, for this was goodbye ... a last farewell to dreams, to hopes, and to sorrows -to life on earth.

"What a beautiful day, Father!'; he exclaimed. "What a mirror-like morning! How clear are Corregidor and the mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I have taken a walk here with my sweetheart. .. " "This morning will be more beautiful," said the priest, sadly but ominously.

"Why is that, Father?" inquired Jose. He had probably been thinking of Lfonor, of those days when he was studying at the Santo Tomas University, and she was in the house of her father. Taimis, his ' 1s>eloved Taimis-soon he would join her, somewhere in the beyond.

Passing in front of the Ateneo, he turned his head to look at the newly-built towers on the church of the school. " Is that the Ateneo?" he asked.

"Yes." " I spent seven years t1 lere .." .

As they turned left, reaching the Luneta, a large crowd of spectators waited for them at Bagumbayan field. The crowd was formed in a huge square open on the side facing :M anila bay, and separated at a good distance from the prisoner by a single file of infantry. Two companies of artillery stood to one side within the square, just in case an attempt to rescue was made.

"Oh, Father, how terrible it is to die!" said Rizal upon entering the square. " How one suffers! Father, I forgive everybody from the bottom of my heart. I have no resentment towards anybody-believe me, your reverence ... "

BAGUMBAYAN Once shown the spot over which he was to stand, he drew near Father Balaguer and Lieutenant Andrada. The priest made the sign of the cross over his head and gave him a small crucifix to kiss. Rizal held out his hands, restricted as they were by the rope at the elbow, in a last farewell to the pair.

The black rosary dangled in the warmth of the embrace. The Jesuit was crying openly with emotion, while the lieutenant nervously tapped his forehead.

Rizal stood between two lamp posts, on the grassy lawn, a couple of feet away from the driveway. The lamp posts threw on the wet grass long shadows that grew shorter 'with each passing minute as the sun gained in brilliance.

What thoughts could have crossed his mind during those last minutes of life? He must have felt a certain pride in giving an example to the world that a Filipino patriot could die like a man. Could he have foreseen that less than a decade after ' that memorable morning his name would be set up to be blessed by future generations of Filipinos as the paragon of heroes? Undoubtedly, he must have seen something of the future. He must have sensed that his death would fan the fires of the revolution-what a boomerang his death would become to his executioners! He had always tried to shape his life after a single pattern: to be worthy of his country, so that by good example and through education he could lead his fellow-countrymen to freedom and liberty. This execution, then, would crown his life-long ambition with the final touch-his supreme aspiration!

The officer in charge of the firing squad asked Rizal to turn his back, for the condemned man was facing less than ten feet away a squad of eight native soldiers who had been chosen to execute their own countryman. Behind them was another squad of Spanish soldiers, better armed and equipped, just in case the native executioners should rebel at the last minute.

Rizal complied-but suddenly whirled around to talk with the officer, protesting against being shot from behind.

THE GREAT MALAYAN "Impossible," replied the officer, "for I have orders to shoot you in the back."

"But I have not been a traitor to my country or to the Spanish nation!"

"My duty is to obey the orders I have received."

"Very well, then-shoot me as you wish!"

The officer, however, agreed that the prisoner would be shot through the heart and not through the head. Rizal refused to kneel down like a common criminal, or to be blindfolded. He remained outwardly calm, as if he were on a promenade, beholding the beauties of nature, for his heart and mind were at peace wit.h the world. He was not angry with the Spaniards for that travesty on justice-he was beyond all earthly passions at that moment. The tranquillity he had so long cherished descended upon him that exquisite morning in December, permeatmg his entire being with an inexpressible happiness. He was content at the thought that he was dying for his beloved country ...

o sacred land, oÂŁ all my sorrows the deepest!

Loved Philippines, hear ROW my last farewell.

I leave thee all: parents, kindred, and friends; I go where there are neither tyrants nor slaves, Where no one dies because of his faith or creed, Where He who reigns is God, and God alone.

The eight native soldiers drove home the bolts of their rifles, closing the breech on the lone but lethal cartridge within the chamber. .

At that moment, the military doctor approached Rizal with the request: "Comrade, may I feel your pulse?"

Without saying a single word, Rizal extended his forearm sideways.

"You have it very well, indeed," said the doctor in amazement. To see Rizal so calm had excited the curiosity of the military physician, who suspected that it was only an exterior

THE EXECUTION pose. But the pulse beat was normal, and the Spanish doctor wondered how this Malayan, on the threshold of eternity, could be so serene.

Rizal's mind was far away from Bagumbayan, probably wandering along the familiar scenes of his childhood in Kalamba, on the shores of Laguna de Bay, surrounded by his sisters and beloved parents ...

Farewell, dear ones-parents, brothers, sistersSo rudely torn away from my inmost soul!

True friends of my childhood in the happy home Made desolate by harsh and cruel hands; Be thankful that I rest from the weary day.

Farewell, sweet stranger, my comrade and my joy!

Farewell, beloved ones! ... To die is--

The rifles spurted bright orange-red flames-the roar broke the stillness of ~he morning-Rizal spun halfway around to the right, and toppled on his side with face turned up to the blue sky, head pointing to the bay and feet toward the carriage driveway. The derby, dislodged by the fall, rolled disconsolately on the ground, then stopped abruptly.

A few vivas were heard, but were as quickly hushed. A Spanish salon-keeper shouted "Viva Espana!" but an officer abruptly ordered: "Shut up-you ass.I" It was three minutes past seven o'clock.

The large crowd quickly and silently dispersed, except for a few morbid onlookers who approached to gaze at the fallen body. Another Filipino patriot had gone the way of the three cassocked martyrs twenty-four ye~.rs before. Another sacrificial lamb, spotlessly white, had been offered on the altar of liberty.

The great Malayan was dead.

-FIN IS-

EPILOGUE .

The story ends, and the curtain falls on the life of the greatest hero of the Philippines, without peer among the foremost men produced by the Malayan race. All that we need do further is to pick up a few odds and ends to bring this account to a close.

The corpse of Rizal remained in the Luneta for about twenty minutes before the Brothers of Charity trundled it off on a cart to the Paco cemetery, where it was buried.

Meanwhile, after leaving Fort Santiago, Josephine and Trining went home. The rest of the family did not witness the execution either, for they were in their homes under the surveillance of armed guards. Paciano, once released from the dungeon, fled to th~ revolutionary camp and later became a general in Aguinaldo's army. Francisco Rizal died just before the arrival of the Americans in the Islands; Dona Teodora, who refused a life pension from the Philippine Government, survived her husband by about a decade and to the end of her days fondly recited the better-kno"wn poems of her beloved son Jose.

Only three sisters of Rizal are alive to-day: Maria, Josefa, and Trinidad. l Josephine fought in the ranks of the revolutionists in Cavite, as she had told Rizal she would, and in 18g8 married Vicente Abad in Hongkong. She taught in Manila at the turn of the century, where she contracted tuberculosis of the throat, from which she died a few years later. She left an only daughter, now "Mrs. Dolores Abad Bracken de l\ifina, in whose prized possession is a tress of Josephine's hair. Rizal's letters to Josephine were burned when her sister-in-Iaw's house in Manila caught fire , suffering the same fate as Rizal's letters to Leonor Rivera who had them destroyed before her marriage to Kipping.

1 Narcisa Rizal died on June 24, 1939.

3 16

A WORLD CHANGES Blumentritt deeply felt Rizal's execution, but was powerless to do anything excepl to denounce the act in European newspapers. He lived to see the American regime solidly implanted in the Islands, and then passed into history as the greatest foreign friend that the Filipinos ever had.

Two weeks after that morning inFDecember, f-ourteen other patriots were led to the same spot and, publicly executed. The authorities, controlled by the reactionaries, had believed that these blood-thirsty measures would frighten the natives; instead, the flame of nationalism burned brighter, and Filipinos began to slip from the city to join the ranks of the insurrectionists. A majority of the paisanos abroad returned to the Islands to fight against the Spaniards. A guerrilla warfare was started, and the poorly fed and ar~l1ed Katipuneros were able to check the oncemighty power of Spain; although, as Rizal had foreseen, they were unable to carry the war to successful conclusion.

A year and a half later, fate took a hand in the destiny of the Philippines, and the: Americans stepped in with Admiral Dewey in the battle of Manila Bay. A new era was ushered in.

The Filipinos, under the tutelage of a pO'werful and generous nation, learned the ways of democracy along the path mapped out by Rizal. To-day, the Filipinos look to Rizal as a model and constant source of inspiration in their national undertakings.

If only Spain had acted otherwise-but inscrutable are the ways of Providence, and the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal that morning in December signalled the downfall of Spanish domination in the Philippines.

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