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Rizal's Travel, Jose Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan, on February 28,…
Rizal's Travel
A Quiet Life for a Town Doctor
The steamship Haiphong arrived in Manila on August 5, 1887. Rizal, just like most of the “balikbayans,” was very excited to see his homeland after a long time.
Calamba Agrarian Trouble
On December 30, 1887, the Civil Governor of Laguna Province requested the locals to inspect all lands in the province, especially those owned by the Spanish friars.
What the Rizal family experienced in the hands of their Dominican friar landlords was similar to what our farmers experienced when the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was passed into law.
Going back to Rizal’s time, Governor-General Emilio Terrero issued an order to investigate the agrarian trouble in Calamba. His directive to investigate the friars’ land was brought about by the accusations contained in Jose Rizal’s social novel - Noli Me Tangere.
Jose Rizal’s decision to help the people in Calamba made Rizal the most dangerous Filipino in the eyes of Spanish authorities, especially the friars.
Aside from being a town doctor, Jose Rizal opened as a mall gymnasium where he introduced various kinds of European sports such as shooting, gymnastics, and fencing. He introduced these sports to divert the townsfolk’s interests in cockfights and gambling.
Paciano was always on his side from the day of his arrival up to the day when he went back to Calamba for his security.
Rizal Hong Kong & Macau
In Hong Kong
Upon his arrival in Hong Kong, he checked-in at the Victoria Hotel. From there, he was welcomed by several Filipino residents such as Jose Maria Basa (Filipino patriot and one of the pillars of the Propaganda Movement), Manuel Yriarte (son of alcalde mayor of Laguna), and Balbino Mauricio.
It is believed that Rizal was also followed by a Spanish spy named Jose Sainz de Varanda
The following were the observations of Rizal about Hong Kong-based on his letter sent to Ferdinand Blumentritt on February 16, 1888.
Jose Rizal called Hong Kong a small but clean city.
At that time, the city was resided by various nationalities such as Jews, Portuguese, Hindus, English, and Chinese. Some of the residents were poor, timid, but gentle.
In Macau
Jose Rizal arrived in Macau on February 18, 1888. Jose Maria Basa accompanied him. It should be noted that Basa had a significant role in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 while he was in Hong Kong. He also served as a disbursing officer of the funds of the revolution.
Rizal and Jose Maria Basa stayed in the house of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, one of the richest Filipinos in Macau. Lecaros spent the rest of his life in cultivating plants and flowers.
Rizal visited some tourist spots in Macau, such as the churches (Macau was a former colony of Portugal), theater, and casino. He only spent two days in Macau.
Japan
Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of a Spanish movement based in Japan (Spanish Legation), visited him in his hotel. The occurrence of Spanish officials in Macau and Japan was just a part of the Spanish authorities’ tactics to monitor his activities outside the Philippines.
Caballero invited Rizal to join in the Spanish Legation. Despite his suspicion that Caballero was sent to monitor his activities in Japan and spy on him, Rizal agreed to join because:
He could be saved from boarding expenses
The Spanish authorities could not accuse him of anything that may ruin his vacation.
Second Trip Aboard Djemnah
His second voyage on board was almost the same as his first trip from Singapore to Barcelona. This time, the total number of passengers was 50.
He served as an interpreter to various passengers on board.
He saw the Suez Canal for the second time. He also played chess while traveling.
He transferred to Haiphong on July 30, 1887, to Manila. The steamship left Saigon (Vietnam) for Manila on August 2, 1887.
After he arrived in Manila in 1887, he chose to have a peaceful life in Calamba as a town doctor.
Jose Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan, on February 28, 1888. He checked-in at the Grand Hotel.
He also went to Tokyo on February 29, 1888, and registered at the Tokyo Hotel from March 2 to 7, 1888. Rizal was quite amazed by the scenic features of Tokyo.
Rizal and Caballero became good friends. He described Caballero as a young, fine, and excellent writer and an able diplomat who had traveled much.
Jose Rizal confessed that he was not able to enjoy his vacation because he cannot speak Japanese.
