CHAPTER 20: Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong (1891-1892)

Naration: After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left Europe for Hongkong, where he
lived from November, 1891 to June, 1892. He left Europe because he thought that his life was
unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H Del Pilar and other Filipinos
in Spain and he wanted to be near his idolized Philippines and family.
Shows Rizal travelling by train going to Paris; Bid farewell to the Lunas, Pardo de Taveras,
Venturas and other friends.
Rizal: I will now continue my search and will pursue my profession. Thank you for everything. I
am leaving but my memories with you are incomparable. They will never be forgotten. (Takes
with him a letter from Juan Luna and 600 copies of El Fili)
Valentin Ventura: Have a safe flight Jose. We will pray for your safety and success.
Naration: The trip was delightful, heavenly, in Rizals own opinion. There were over 80 firstclass passengers. Rizal was the only Asian among them. As usual, he amazed his fellowpassengers because of his knowledge of many languages and his skill in sketching. He
befriended many missionaries, with one of them, Father Fuchs, a Tyrolese, he enjoyed playing
chess.
Rizal: Check mate, Padre! (laugh)
Father Fuchs: Youre really good in this my fellow. You are amazing! (laughs)
Naration: Rizal arrived in Hongkong on November 20, 1891. He was welcomed by the Filipino
residents, especially his old friend, Jose Ma. Basa. He established his residence where he also
opened his medical clinic.
Mail arrives.. (voice over) ..they deported 25 persons from Calamba including father, Neneng,
Sisa, Lucia, Paciano, and the rest of us. I am preparing a letter for the Queen Regent of Spain
explaining the Calamba situation in order to secure justice. If the Queen will not listen, we will
write to Queen Victoria of England appealing for protection in the name of humanity..
(Rizal reads in despair...)
Naration: Before Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and
Silvestre Ubaldo in Hong Kong.
Father, Brother and brother-in-law arrives... Rizal in his medical clinic.
Paciano: Good evening Senor. May we take some of your time?
Rizal: (faces the person talking) What can ---- brother! (surprised tone) You came for me!
Father: Im afraid hes not alone. (smiles)
Rizal: Oh, Father! (gives respect)
Naration: Not long afterwards, his mother and sister Lucia, Josefa and Trinidad also arrived.
Rizal with his Father and Paciano in the living area. (Knockings)

Rizal: (Opens door) Mother! (embraces tight) My sisters!

Josefa: My brother! How I missed you!
Rizal: So am I!
Talking.....
Naration: The Christnas in Hongkong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal/s
life for he had a happy family Reunion.
Rizal: (calls attention) Everyone, may I have your attention please. (hold a champagne) I.. am
deeply grateful to have you here on Christmas eve. Words are never enough to express the
extremes of my happiness. I have longed for this! To my mother, Merry Chrismas, mom. I love
you. Cheers!
Cheers... Giggles..
Naration: To earn a living for himself and his family, Rizal practiced medicine. A Portuguese
physician, Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques, who became his friend and admirer, helped him build up a
wide clientele. In recognition of Rizals skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he turned over him many
of his eye cases.
Dr. Lorenzo: You are a great man; your capabilities as a surgeon are exceptional. You deserve to
be known.
Rizal: I owe this to you Dr. If not for you; I might have had a very hard time.
Dr. Lorenzo: This is all because of you. The goodness of your heart, Dr.
Rizal: There is one thing I am certain to do out of everything. That is to operate my mom and
make her able to better see again.
Dr. Lorenzo: And I am most certain you can do that.
Naration: In due time, Dr. Rizal became a successful and well-known medical practitioner in the
British colony. He successfully operated on his mothers left eye so that she was able to read and
write again. Aside from being an eye specialist, he was a general practitioner. Some friends of
Rizal who were in Europe gave him moral and substantial aid in his medical practice in Hong
Kong. Rizal possessed the qualities of a great ophthalmic surgeon. Had he devoted his lifetime to
the practice of medicine he would have become one of Asias eminent ophthalmologist.
2nd homecoming
ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER
June 26, 1892- Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia (wife of late Mariano
Herbosa)
arrived in Manila
In the afternoon, at 4:00 oclock, he went to Malacaang Palace to seek audience with the

Spanish
governor general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe
June 27, 1892- at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in
Malolos
(Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and Bacolor (Pampanga)
Rizal returned by train to Manila on the next day, June 28, at 5 oclock in the afternoon
FOUNDLING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
July 3, 1892- on the evening of Sunday, following his morning interview with Governor
General Despujol,
Rizal attended a meeting with patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo, Doroteo
Ongjunco, on
Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila
Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired
to establish
and its role in the socio-economic life of the people.
The officers of the new league were elected, as follows: Ambrosio Salvador (President);
Deodato Arellano
(Secretary); Bonifacio Arevalo (Treasurer); and Agustin de la Rosa (Fiscal)
Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All)- the motto of the Liga Filipina
The governing body of the league was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the
whole country. It was composed of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a fiscal. There was a
Provincial Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town
The duties of the Liga members are as follows (1) obey the orders of the Supreme Council (2)
to help in
recruiting new members (3) to keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities (4) to
have symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of his council (5) to
report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affect the Liga (6) to behave well as befits a
good Filipino (7) to help fellow members in all ways
RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO
July 6, 1892- Wednesday, Rizal went to Malacaang Palace to resume his series of interviews
with
governor general
Pobres Frailles (Poor Friars)- incriminatory leaflets which allegedly found in Lucias pillow
cases; it is
under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila
Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and
aide of
Governor General Despujol
July 7, 1892- the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizals arrest which produced
indignant
commotion among the Filipino people, particlarly the members of the newly organized Liga
Filipina
The same issue of the Gaceta (july 7, 1892) contained Governor General Despujols decree
deporting

Rizal to one of the islands in the South

July 14, 1892, shortly after midnight (that is 12:30 am of July 15, 1892) Rizal was brought
under heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This steamer under
Captain Delgras departed at 1:00 AM, July 15, sailing south, passing Mindoro and Panay and
reaching Dapitan on Sunday, the 17 th of July at 7:00 in the evening
Captain Ricardo Carnicero- Spanish commandant of Dapitan whom Captain Delgras handed
Rizal
July 17, 1892- July 31, 2896- Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan, a period of four years