The Resolute Propagandist Abdicates Leadership

Rizal seeks Justice for his Family While Rizal was in Madrid, he exhausted all available legal remedies to seek justice for his family and the farmers in Calamba. Associacion Hispano-Filipino – where he sought assistance He made used of the liberal newspapers to ventilate the grievances of his family and the oppressed tenants in his hometown.

Señor Fabie – then Minister of Colonies Where Rizal sought audience with the help of Marcelo H. Del Pilar (who acted as his lawyer) and Dominador Gomez (secretary of the Associacion). Nothing came out with the interview. Ferdinand Blumentritt – came to learn of Rizal’s dilemma. Prodded Rizal to bring the case to the Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain.

Rizal considered Blumentritt’s plan but he had no financial logistics and influential friends in Madrid who had access to the Queen.

Death of JOMAPA Jose Maria Panganiban The talented co-worker in the Propaganda Movement. A hero from Camarines Norte.

When Rizal heard about his death, he wrote a eulogy for him. In the said eulogy, he praised Panganiban for his extraordinary talent, intelligence and industry.

Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna In August of 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of Filipinos in Madrid. Antonio Luna became intoxicated with alcohol He was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead.

Deep in his heart, he blamed Rizal for his failure to win Nellie’s heart. In a lot of occasions, Rizal expressed to Luna that he had nothing to do with it. Because of Luna’s alcohol-befogged mind he uttered nasty comments about Nellie and this caused Rizal’s challenging Luna for a duel.

Rizal Challenges Retana to a Duel Wenceslao Retana Rizal’s bitter enemy in writing A press agent of the friars in the Philippines. Published articles in the anti-Filipino newspaper La Epoca.

In one of his articles, he wrote about the ejection of the Rizal family and relatives from the lands that they were tilling for their failure to pay their annual rent to the Dominican friars. Rizal was insulted in it and challenged Retana to vindicate the good name of Rizal’s family and friends.

Retana published a retraction and apologies in the newspapers. They became friends later because Retana developed a great admiration to Rizal. He even wrote the first book-length biography of Rizal.

Leonor Rivera got Married Teatro Apollo – where the expatriates and Rizal watched a play and also where he lost his gold watch chain with a locket containing the picture of Leonor Rivera. Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera in 1890 telling him that she will be married to Charles Henry Kipping, an Englishman and engineer and the man whom her mother chose to be her husband.

Ferdinand Blumentritt – tried to make Rizal realized that Leonor was not the woman for him.

Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry Jose Rizal Marcelo H. del Pilar

Jose Rizal was the undisputed leader of the Filipino expatriates in Europe However, his idealism is something that is unacceptable to his fellow reformers because instead of following him they prefer to: Gamble Drink Flirt with women

Marcelo H. Del Pilar – was the only Rival of Rizal for leadership in the reform movement. Modern in his concept of political ability, belief in organization as well as his efficient and skillful employment of mass propagation methods, He is an epitome of a modern politician, lawyer, journalist and civic leaders.

The editorial policy of the La Solidaridad under del Pilar’s management enhanced the problem between Rizal and del Pilar. To avert the break-up between the two leaders, the Filipinos in Madrid, numbering to about 90 met on January 1, 1891, to patch up the differences and to intensify the campaign for reform.

It was decided that they will have a leader called Responsible. He will direct the affairs of the Filipino community and to determine the editorial policy of the La Solidaridad. Del Pilar opposed the proposition that the La Solidaridad be placed under the control of the Responsible because it was a private enterprise.

Contenders: Rizal vs. del Pilar His opposition was agreed, thus placing the La Solidaridad under the Responsible was abandoned. It was agreed that the Responsible should be elected by two-thirds vote of the community. Contenders: Rizal vs. del Pilar Rizalistas vs. Pilaristas

Rizal abdicates leadership Jose Rizal was annoyed by the situation and walked out to prevent the further division of the Filipino community. Marcelo H. Del Pilar directed Mariano Ponce, Rizal’s friend to convinced the Pilaristas to vote for Rizal. Rizal was elected but he did not accept the position because in the first place the election was already an insult on his part.

Marcelo H. del Pilar – took over the post left by Rizal. According to Rizal, a leader should be recognized and accepted on the basis of merits and readiness to serve. Marcelo H. del Pilar – took over the post left by Rizal. He was a better politician because he possessed the qualities necessary to succeed in politics: cautiousness in making commitment, discretion in taking advantage of an opportunity, skillfulness in moving people in action.

Juan Zulueta – was commissioned to reconcile the two on the issue. Marcelo H. del Pilar – took the initiative to convince Rizal not to leave Madrid Jose Rizal – already made his decision

Romance with Nellie Bousted Rizal arrived in Biarritz – a resort city on the fabulous French Riviera, in the early part of February 1891. Here Rizal stayed with the Bousteads. Nellie Bousted – an epitome of a real Filipina, virtuous, higly intelligent and full of life.

Rizal was even convinced by his friends in marrying her. Even Antonio Luna gave his go signal in their love affair. Unfortunately the love story did not materialized because: Rizal did not gave up his Catholic faith because Nellie was a Protestant. Nellie’s mother did not like Rizal for a son-in-law.

El Filibusterismo Finished in Biarritz Frustrated with his romance, Rizal found consolation in writing. On March 29, 1891, the eve of Rizal’s departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.

To Paris and Back to Brussels He bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads on March 20, 1891 and proceeded to Paris by train. From Paris, he wrote to his friend Jose Ma. Basa, in Hong Kong, expressing his desire to go to his place and practice ophthalmology in order to earn his living. He even told Basa to advance him the amount for the first class steamer ticket from Europe to Hong Kong.

Retirement from Propaganda Movement Since he abdicated from his leadership in Madrid, in January of 1891, owing to the intrigues of his compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He desired to publish his second novel, to practice medicine and when he became financially independent, he expected to make a more vigorous campaign for his country’s redemption.

From Brussels, he notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in Europe. This notification was given to Deodato Arellano whose pseudonym was A.L. Lorena.

Rizal stopped writing for the La Solidaridad Simultaneous to his retirement from the Propaganda was his ceased in writing for the La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged him to continue writing. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration wrote Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.

Rizal wrote to del Pilar denying any resentment and told him that he wanted to: work for his second novel Let other Filipinos there to work also There should be unity in the community

Revising the El Filibusterismo for Publication In Brussels, Rizal worked day after day to finished his manuscript. May 30, 1891 – when he finished the revisions on his manuscript.