Chapter 17 of Rizal's Life Works and Writings

Misfortunes in Madrid

(1890-91)

Chapter 7

This chapter consists of adversities

encountered by Rizal when he was in Madrid. August 1890 when he arrived in the place to seek justice for his family and Calamba tenants. As he was there, he almost fought two duels – one with Antonio Luna and the other was Wenceslao Retana. Not only that, but also the infidelity of Leonor Rivera broke his heart. Many were the sad moments he experienced not just those facts given above.

But still he survived.

Introduction

When Rizal arrived in Madrid, he implored help from Asociacion Hispano-Filipina and other liberal Spanish newspapers to secure those Calamba tenants and his family.

* Marcelo H. del Pilar – lawyer* Dr. Dominador Gomez – secretary of

Asociacion Hispano-Filipina*Senor Fabie – Minister of Colonies

FAILURE TO GET JUSTICE FOR HIS FAMILY

To help him protest the injustices committed by Governor-General Valeriano Weyler and Dominicans

Q1. What is the Spanish colonial policy stated in the Madrid newspaper EI Resumen?

* “To cover the ears, open the purse and fold the arms”

MORE TERRIBLE NEWS1. From Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law) –

ejectment order by the Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants;

2. From Saturnina – deportation of Paciano Rizal, Antonino Lopez, Silvestre Ubaldo, Mateo Elejorde, Dandoy to Mindoro.

3. From Saturnina – their parents were forcibly ejected from their home and were living in Narcisa’s house.

• Becerra and Maura – honeyed words of sympathy and nothing else.

• Blumentritt – urged Rizal to Queen Regent Maria Cristina (minority of Alfonso XII)

• Jose Ma. Panganiban

- co-worker in the Propaganda Movement- Died in Barcelona in the age of 27- August 19, 1890

Feliciano Gonzales Timbang

RIZAL’S EULOGY TO PANGANIBAN

Rizal wrote a great eulogy expressing how great was Jose Ma. Panganiban and how unfortunate Philippines was that he died.

ABORTED DUEL WITH ANTONIO LUNA

A social reunion was held and wines were usually served. When Antonio Luna became drunk, he uttered unpalatable remarks against Nellie Boustead for he was bitter that time. The reason was he failed in winning the heart of the latter and he blamed Rizal.

Rizal heard it and because Rizal does not want women to be disgraced, he challenged Luna to a fight.

*Jose Rizal – better pistol shot*Antonio Luna – superior as a swordsman

But, when Luna became sober, he realized how foolish he did. Immediately, he apologize to Rizal and the latter forgave making them good friend again.

Aborted Duel With Antonio Luna

Rizal was not a hot-tempered nor he

was quarrelsome in nature, but if his parents and family were attack, he never falter nor stammer to fight just to save them.*Wenceslao Retana

- talented Spanish scholar- press agent of the friars in Spain- Rizal’s bitter enemy in pen

RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL

He wrote an article in La Epoca which was an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid. The article declares that Rizal’s family and friends were ejected from Calamba because they did not paid their rents.

Rizal, after hearing the insult was enraged and challenged Retana to a duel for only Retana’s blood can be accepted as an apology because of what he had done to Rizal’s family.

RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL

Retana who know that he had no chance of

winning, published a retraction and an apology in the same newspaper.

From that incident, Retana’s pen became silent. Eventually, he developed a great admiration for Rizal and made the first book-length biography of the greatest Filipino hero.

RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL

Autumn of 1890: Rizal attended a play at

Teatro Apolo in Madrid. It was there where he lost his gold watch chain with a locket containing the picture of Leonor Rivera, his beloved sweetheart.

December 1890: Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming marriage to an Englishman and asking his forgiveness. That letter was a great blow to him.

Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

It took several weeks for Rizal to confide to his

best friend, Blumentritt about the letter. In his reply to Rizal, dated February 15, 1891,

he consoled him. In a part of the letter he stated: “…for I know your heart is pained; but you are one of the heroes who conquer pain from a wound inflicted by a woman, because they follow higher ends. You have a courageous heart, and you are in love with a nobler woman, the Motherland.”

Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

Three months later, Blumentritt sent another

comforting letter saying: “ …If she was able to renounce a Rizal, she did not possess the nobility of your spirit.”

Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

Closing days of 1890: There arose unfortunate rivalry between Rizal and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

Rizal was then the undisputed leader of the

Filipinos in Europe. Del Pilar was a fearless lawyer-journalist

known for his vigorous editorials in La Solidaridad, which he came to own.

Del Pilar has purchased this from Pablo Rianzares, its first proprietor, and replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as its editor.

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

Rizal tried to imbue his compatriots with his

own idealism. This was to gain prestige for the Propaganda Movement and to win the respect of the Spanish people.

His idealism: Possess high standards of morality, dignity and spirit of sacrifice.

This was not shared by frivolous countrymen who were more interested with wine, women and cards.

Consequently, Rizal’s leadership declined.

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

Some of his former admirers turned against

him because they resented his interference with their private lives. They became supporters of Del Pilar

The editorial policy of La Solidaridad under Del Pilar enhanced the cleavage between Rizal and Del Pilar.

Rizal and his close friends objected to the editorial policy because it was contrary to Rizal’s political views.

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

January 1, 1891: the Filipinos in Madrid met to

patch up their differences and to intensify the campaign for reform.

They decided to have an election to name the Responsable who was to direct the affairs and determine the editorial policy.

Del Pilar opposed this as it was a private enterprise, though he was willing to publish articles that would express the aspirations and demands of the Filipino people.

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

Through Del Pilar’s opposition, the proposition

to place La Solidaridad under the control of the Responsable was abandoned.

The meeting proceeded to the business of electing the Responsable.

It was agreed that the Responsable should be elected by a two-thirds vote of the Filipino community.

Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

First week of February, 1891: The election took

place. There were two hostile camps: the Rizalistas and

the Pilaristas Passion ran high, inflaming animosity and disunity

in the ranks of the compatriots. On the first day of voting, Rizal was winning, but he

could not obtain the required 2/3rds vote to be proclaimed as the Responsable. The same thing happened the second day.

The situation was becoming explosive and critical.

Rizal Abdicates His Leadership

On the third day, Mariano Ponce appealed to

his countrymen to vote for Rizal. Some Pilaristas, evidently, heeded his plea.

The voting that day resulted in Rizal’s victory. He became the Responsable.

Rizal graciously declined the coveted position; he did not relish being a leader of a divided people.

He didn’t want to be the cause of disunity and bitterness among his countrymen.

Rizal Abdicates His Leadership

Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his

compatriots for electing him as Responsable. He then boarded a train leaving for Biarritz City of Madrid: a place where he was happy

during his first sojourn (1882-85), but unhappy on his second visit (1890-91)

This was the last time he saw Madrid

Adios, Madrid

Rizal’s agonizing heart bade goodbye to the

metropolis, of which he had written years ago:“Madrid is one of the gayest cities of the world which combines the spirit of Europe and the East, which has adopted the orderliness, the convenience, the bon ton of civilized Europe without disdaining, without repelling, the brilliant colours, the ardent passions, the primitive customs of the African tribes, of the chivalrous Arabs whose traces are still recognizable everywhere, in the look, feelings and prejudices of the people and even in their laws.”

Adios, Madrid