Rizal In

Brussels

PORTUGAL

SPAIN

FRANCE

BELGIUM

GERMANY

Why are you

leaving Paris?

Because the cost

of living here in

Paris is very high

and the gay

social life in the

city is hampering

my literary works.

Sure? Isn’t it because you’re

running away from a girl in London?

Ok then!

Of course not! The

prices here are just

really high.

Well then, you can stay in my place without

paying any rent.

Thank you, but no

thanks my friend.

Jose Albert accompanied Rizal to move to Brussels.

Jose Alejandro an engineering student who replaced Jose Albert.

They stayed in a boarding house at 38 Rue Philippe Champagne.

Rizal lived in this house when he wrote his novel‘El Filibusterismo’

in 1890-1891

The boarding house is run by two Jacoby sisters named Suzanne and Marie.

• Rizal spent his time writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo.

• He also wrote articles for La Solidaridad and letter for his family and friends.

• He also spent his remaining time doing gymnastic in the gymnasium, target practice and fencing at the armory.

The articles he wrote for La Solidaridad during his stay in Brussel.

• “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889.

• “La verdad Para Todos” ( The Truth For All), May 31, 1889.

• “Vicente Barrantes’ (Teatro Tagalo) June 15, 18889

• “Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889

• “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889

• “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889

• “Differencias” (Differences), September 15, 1889

• “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889

• “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughters), November 30, 1889

• “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890

Articles published in La Solidaridad

New tagalog orthography

• Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala The New Orthography of the Language

• Rizal adapted the Filipinized tagalog in his translations of Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell and Andresen’s Fairy Tale

• Rizal gave credit to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera’s work El Sanscrito en Lengua Tagala

“I put this on record so that when the history

of this orthography is traced, which is

already being enlightened Tagalists, that

what is Caesar‟s be given to Caesar. This

innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de

Tavera „s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of

its most zealous propagandists”

Rizal Criticizes Madrid Filipinos for Gambling

MAY 28, 1890 – Rizal wrote to

Marcelo H. del Pilar to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they went to Europe to work for

their Fatherland’s freedom and not to

gamble.

“ Luna in Paris complains about the gambling of the Filipinos in

Madrid, and so does Ventura. They say that according to news from the

Philippines, the parents are very much disgusted…I am afraid we are

serving the friars‟ scheme. There is nothing at home to remind them that

the Filipino does not come to Europe to gamble and amuse himself, but

to work for our liberty and for the dignity of his race. It is not necessary

to leave the Philippines to gamble, for they already gamble very much.

If we who are called upon to do something, if we, in whom the poor

place their modest hopes, spend our time in these things precisely when

the years of youth should be employed in something more noble and

lofty for the very reason that youth is noble and lofty, I fear much that

we are fighting for a useless illusion, and that, instead of being worthy

of liberty we are worthy of slavery.

I appeal to the patriotism of all Filipinos to give the Spanish people

proof that we are superior to our misfortune and that neither are we

capable of being brutalized, nor can our noble sentiments be deafened

with the corruption of customs."

• Through gambling they are showing that the Filipinos are not worthy of freedom but of slavery

• They should spend their time doing

something noble and generous because the youth is noble and generous

• The gambling Filipinos in Madrid became very angry when they learned of Rizal’s moralizing that they called him “Papa” (pope) instead of “Pepe”.

PRESINTEMENT OF DEATH

• Rizal had a bad dreams during the night in Brussels. • LETTER TO DEL PILAR:

• In my childhood I had a strange belief that I would not reach 30 years of age.

• I am preparing myself for death. • Laong Laan (Ever Ready) is my true name.

SUMMARY OF RIZAL’S LETTER TO DEL PILAR:

“Sad presentiments (intuitions) assault me though I do not give them

entire credence (belief). In my childhood I had a strange belief that I

would not reach thirty years of age. I do not know why I thought, this.

There were two months during which almost every night I had no other

dream than that my friends and relatives were dead. Although I do not

believe in these things and although my body is very strong and I have no

illness and have no fear. I‟ am preparing myself for death and for any

eventuality. Laong Laan is my name (Laging Handa) is my true name.

• Rizal wanted to finish his second novel before went to his grave.

PREPARATION TO GO HOME

• Rizal could not stay in Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives and friends in the Philippines were prosecuted.

RIZAL’S LETTER TO PONCE: “I want to go back to the Philippines, and although I know it would be daring

and imprudent, what does that matter ?

The only thing that can detain me is a doubt whether my parents agree. Iam

afraid to disturb their last years .

In case they should object my homecoming, I would work for a livelihood in

some part of the world.”

• Rizal’s friends warned him of the danger that awaited him at home

Something happened that made Rizal change his plan in returning to the Philippines when he received a letter from Paciano which related that they lost the case against the Dominicans in Manila but they appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain.

June 20, 1890 – Rizal wrote to M. H. Del Pilar retaining the latter’s service as a lawyer and informed Del Pilar that he was going to Madrid, in order to supervise the handling of the case.

July 29, 1890 – he wrote a letter to Ponce announcing that he was leaving Brussels at the beginning of the following month and would arrive Madrid about the 3rd and 4th of August.

Decision to go to Madrid

August 1890 - He arrived in Madrid, burdened with sorrow

brought about by terrible news about his family and the

worsening trouble in his hometown

Spanish newspapers.

- El Resumen, El Dia, La Justicia and El Globo

“to cover the ears, open the purse, and fold the arms”

– El Resumen (liberal Spanish newspaper), in an article they published which talks

about the colonial policy of the Spaniards especially those in the Philippines and

other colonies

December 1890 - Rizal spent a cold month with a letter from

Leonor Rivera asking his forgiveness and telling him about

her forthcoming marriage to an Englishman chosen by her

mother.

To my Muse Invoked no longer is the Muse,

The lyre is out of date;

The poets it no longer use,

And youth its inspiration now imbues

With other form and state.

If today our fancies aught

Of verse would still require,

Helicon’s hill remains unsought;

And without heed we but inquire,

Why the coffee is not brought.

In the place of thought sincere

That our hearts may feel,

We must seize a pen of steel,

And with verse and line severe

Fling abroad a jest and jeer.

Muse, that in the past inspired me,

And with songs of love hast fired me;

Go thou now to dull repose,

For today in sordid prose

I must earn the gold that hired me.

Now must I ponder deep,

Meditate, and struggle on;

E’en sometimes I must weep;

For he who love would keep

Great pain has undergone.

Fled are the days of ease,

The days of Love’s delight;

When flowers still would please

And give to suffering souls surcease

From pain and sorrow’s blight.

One by one they have passed on,

All I loved and moved among;

Dead or married—from me gone,

For all I place my heart upon

By fate adverse are stung.

Go thou, too, O Muse, depart,

Other regions fairer find;

For my land but offers art

For the laurel, chains that bind,

For a temple, prisons blind.

But before thou leavest me, speak:

Tell me with thy voice sublime,

Thou couldst ever from me seek

A song of sorrow for the weak,

Defiance to the tyrant’s crime.

Romance with petite Jacoby

As the despondent Rizal was preparing for his trip to Madrid, two things brought some measure of cheer to him: • First, was the summertime festival of

Belgium which was celebrated in carnival style with:

Colorful costumes Fantastic floats and Many days of merriment • Second, was his romance with Petite Suzanne Jacoby, the pretty niece of his land ladies.

Leaving Brussels, Rizal left the young Suzanne a box of chocolates. Two months later, Suzanne wrote a letter to Dr. Rizal, saying: “After your departure, I did not take the chocolate. The box

is still intact as on the day of your parting. Don’t delay too

long writing us because I wear out the soles of my shoes for

running to the mailbox to see if there is a letter from you.

There will never be any home in which you are so loved as in

that in Brussels, so, you little bad boy, hurry up and come

back…”

In her another letter, “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 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 ardently – you 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! You know with one word you can make me very happy.

Aren’t you going to write to me?

To her surprise, Rizal returned to Brussels by the middle of April 1891 and stayed again in the Jacoby’s boarding house. Rizal’s return however was not specifically for Suzanne for the hero just busied himself revising and finalizing the manuscript of El Fili for publication. On July 5, 1891, Rizal bade goodbye to Brussels and Suzanne, never to come back again in Belgium and in her arms.

El Filibusterismo “Reign of Greed”

Aim: to address and reform the Spanish system Writing of the novel: Started writing in Calamba 1887 – revised the plot and some chapters and continued in Paris - then to Brussels – completed on March 29 1891 at Biarritz- published on September 1891 at Ghent. It was partially funded by his friend Valentin Ventura. Comparison: (nher, I really don’t know if nindot ba ni i.apil or dili,basin lang buh) In Noli ma Tangere , there is aspiration, beauty, romance, and merc, while, in El Filibusterismo, all the reader will feel is bitterness, hatred, and antipathy.

Aim: (1) to work peacefully for political and social reforms (2) to portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them (3) to oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress (5) to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness The articles he wrote for La Soli during his stay in Brussel. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889. “La verdad Para Todos” ( The Truth For All), May 31, 1889. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo,” June 15, 18889 “Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889 “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889 “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889 “Differencias” (Differences), September 15, 1889 “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889 “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughters), November 30, 1889 “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890