Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hongkong

Prepared by:

Marietta Agustin-Teaño

Rizal Professor

Ophthalmic Surgeon in

Hong Kong

After the publication of El Fili, Rizal left Europe for Hongkong, where he lived from November, 1891 to June, 1892

He left Europe for 2 reasons:

1. political differences with M.H. del Pilar

2. to be near the Philippines and his family

Rizal also opened a medical clinic

Rizal received sad news from Manuel T. Hidalgo that 25 persons including some family members were deported to Dapitan

Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong

Family Reunion in Hong Kong

Before Christmas of 1891, his father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo arrived in Hong Kong

His mother, and sistersLucia, Josefa and Trinidad also arrived

The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life

Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong

Rizal became a successful and well-known medical practitioner in the British colony

A Portuguese physician Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, became his friend helped him build a wide clientele

Rizal was also a general practitioner

Some of his friends in Europe gave him moral and substantial aid in his medical practice

Had Rizal devoted his lifetime to the practice of medicine he would have become one of Asia’s most eminent ophthalmologist

Borneo colonization Project

Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo

He planned to move the landless Filipino families to the rich British-owned island

The British authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipinos 100,000 acres of land, free of charge

Most of Rizal’s friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed this project

Manuel T. Hidalgo obejcted to this idea

Despujol, the governor general did not approve this project

Rizal’s professional card when in Hongkong.

Writings in Hong Kong

Ang Mga Karapatan ng Tao – tagalog translation of the Rights of Man proclaimed during the French Revolution

A La Nacion Española (1891) – an appeal to Spain to correct the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants

Sa Mga Kababayan (1891) – explaining the Calamba agrarian situation

The Hong Kong Telegraph ( Mr. Frazier Smith) British daily newspaper

where Rizal contributed articles

The newspaper was later on banned in the Philippines

Constitution of La Liga Filipina was considered as the most important

writing of Rizal in Hong Kong

It was printed in 1892, to deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed

copies carried the false information that the printing was done by the

London Printing Press

Writings in Hong Kong

La Liga Filipina

Association of Patriotic Filipinos for civic purposes

This was originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa

The copies of the La Liga Constitution was sent by Rizal to Domingo Franco, his friend in Manila

Decision to Return to Manila

In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila for the following reasons:

1. to confer with Gov. Gen. Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project

2. To establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila

3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him, that being comfortable in Hong Kong, had abandoned the country’s cause

Last Hong Kong Letters

June 19, 1892 – he spent his 31st birthday in Hong Kong, he had his premonition of death

The following day, he wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed on each envelop “to be opened after my death” and gave them to his friend Dr. Lorenzo Marquez for safekeeping

First Letter

The first letter was addressed to his parents, brethren and friends….

………a man ought to die for duty and principles. I hold fast to every idea

which I have advanced as to the condition and future of our country,

and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice all to

secure justice and peace for you……

…….till the last moment of my life I shall be thingking of you and wishing

you all good fortunes and happiness

Second Letter

Addressed to the Filipinos

……….what matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for

native land and beings held dear…..

…......always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that

I shall continue loving it till my last moment, in case men

prove unjust to me. My career, my life, m happiness – all I

have sacrifice for love of it. Whatever my fate, I shall die

blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption……….

Rizal falls into Spanish Trap

After Rizal’s departure from Hongkong, the Spanish-

consul general sent a cable telegram to Gov. Despujol,

that the victim is in the trap.

On the same day, June 21, 1892, a case was filed in

Manila against Rizal and his followers “for anti-religious

and anti-patriotic agitation”

Arrival in Manila

June 26, 1892, Rizal with his sister Lucia arrived in Manila

On that night, he had visited Gov. Despujol, after which, he visited his sisters.

The next day, he visited his friends in Central Luzon

His movement was shadowed by government spies

Founding of La Liga Filipina

Doroteo Ongjunco – the home of this Chinese meztizo was

the venue of the meeting held for the purpose of

establishing La Liga

Among those present was Andres Bonifacio

Rizal explained to them the objectives of La Liga as

embodied in the constitution

The Calle Ilaya monument of Rizal and his associates of La Liga Filipina.

Aims of La Liga

1. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body

2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity

3. Defense against all violence and injustice

4. Encouragement of education, agriculture and commerce

5. Study and application of reforms

Rizal arrested and Jailed in Fort Santiago

Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) – leaflets which were allegedly found in

Lucia’s pillowcases. It was a satire authored by FR. Jacinto against the

rich Dominicans

Rizal denied having those leaflets in either his or Lucia’s baggage

Despite his denial and demand for due process of law, he was arrested

and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, the nephew of the

gov. general

In Fort Santiago, he was kept incommunicado

Arbitrary Deportation to Dapitan

The Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest. It also

published the decree of Gov. Despujol deporting Rizal to Dapitan. The

reasons were as follows:

1. Rizal published books and articles which showed disloyalty to Spain,

anti-Catholic and anti-friar

2. Leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes were found in one of their packages

3. his novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the three priests

4. The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the

Filipino the treasures of Catholic faith

The End