So to continue, after spending two and a half days in Marseilles, Rizal left by train and travelled to
Barcelona on June 15. In June 16, 1882, at 12:00 noon, Rizal arrived at Barcelona and boarded in the Fonda
De España. Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest
city was unfavorable. He thought it was ugly, with dirty little inns and inhospitable residents. Later, he
came to like the city and found it really great. With an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism. During his
stay in Barcelona, He wrote an essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country)- a nationalistic essay and
Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil. It was written Under his pen-name Laong Laan. In his essay, he
urged the Filipinos to love the Philippines and he wanted them to be free, people with dignity and honor
according to God’s plan and not slaves. It was published on August 20, 1882 in the Diariong Tagalog, a
Manila newspaper, edited by Basilio Teodoro, in two texts – Spanish and Tagalog. The Spanish text was
the one originally written by Rizal in Barcelona, the Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by
Marcelo H. del Pilar. His next article was entitled “Los Viajes” (Travels) and followed by “Revista de
Madrid (Review of Madrid) but the latter was returned because the publication was ceased because of
lack of funds. During this time Rizal received a sad news about the cholera ravaging Manila and the
provinces. Paciano’s letter stated that they are having afternoon novenas to San roque and nocturnal
processions and prayers to stop the dreadful epidemic. He received another letter recounting the
unhappiness of Leonor Rivera because of the absence of a loved one.
On September 2, 1882 – Rizal moved heading to Madrid in order to continue his medical studies. Rizal
then enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses – Medicine and Philosophy and
Letters on November 3, 1882. He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando, took lessons in French, German and English under private instructors, and practiced fencing
and shooting at the Hall of Arms in Sanz y Carbonell. Rizal later joined the Circulo-Hispano Filipino. It is
an association formed by Filipino students in Spain composed of both Filipinos and Spaniards. Rizal being
a lonely young man in a foreign country, far from his natal land, was attracted by Consuelo’s Beuty and
Vivacity, the daughter of Don Pablo. He even composed a lovely poem for on August 12, 1883 dedicated
to her titled A LA senorita C.O y P. (To Miss C.O. y P.), he expressed there his administration for her. He
found solace and joy in her company. However, before his romance with Consuelo could blossom into
serious affair, he suddenly backed out for 2 reasons: 1) He was still engaged to Leonora Rivera and 2) His
friend and co-worker in the propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lere, was madly in love wth Consuelo
and he did not wish to break their friendship because of a pretty girl. During his life in Madrid, he also
wrote the poem, Mi Piden Versos (They Ask Me for Verses), which he personally declaimed during the
New Year’s Eve reception held in the evening of December 31, 1882. On March 1883 – He joined the
Masonic Lodge called Acacia. His reason for this was to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight for the
Philippines. On November 1883 – He transferred to Lodge Solidaridad, where he become a Master
Mason. June 1884, Rizal finished his medical education. He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine. The next year, he passed all his subjects leading to Doctors of Medicine but was only able to
get his Doctor’s Diploma in 1887 for he wasn’t able to pay corresponding fee. And on June 1885 Rizal was
awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with the
rating of Excellent (Sobresaliente).
FRANCE TO SPAIN
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In the afternoon of May 5, 1882, Jose left Marseilles by train and travelled going to Barcelona.
He arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
His first impression of the city was that it was unfavorable.
In progressive Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of
Country), his first article written on Spain’s soil. He sent this article to his friend in Manila, Basilio
Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog, the first Manila bilingual newspaper
He also wrote Los Viajes using the pen name Laong Laan.
During this time, Manila was ravaged by cholera according to his brother Paciano.
Jose was disheartened also because of the letter sent by Leonor Rivera.
Fall of 1882, Jose left Barcelona for Madrid.
EXPERIENCE IN MADRID
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Jose pursued his medical course and finished also the course which was decided by his father.
Jose’s only vice was lottery in every lottery in Madrid.
Jose spends his leisure time reading and attending reunion of illustrados in Madrid.
Romance with Consuelo Ortiga y Perez.
He also practiced shooting and fencing in a communal gymnasium. He was then acquainted in the
fraternal group of illustrados in Madrid, Circulo Hispano – Filipino.
He then declaimed the poem, Mi Piden Versus in a gathering of the group in New Year’s Eve of
1882.
He then saved some of his money to purchase books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin ( Beecher Stowe) and
The Wandering Jew (Eugene Sue)