Must Try!

While exploring the museum, you can also try the buko pie from The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop, found almost everywhere in Calamba, a celebrated delicacy in the town.

P. Oliveros Street, Antipolo City, Rizal.

also known as The National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage 

Rizal’s mother was a devout Catholic. In addition to teaching the basics of reading and writing, she also taught Jose Rizal Catholic prayers and moral values. It was part of their family tradition to make a pilgrimage to Antipolo, however, on June 6, 1868, his mother could not go with them because she was pregnant. Rizal, accompanied by his father, left Calamba for his first trip across Laguna de Bay and journey by lake, for the pilgrimage to Antipolo and pray at the shrine of the Virgin Mary.

This event highlights an important moment in Rizal's life since it symbolizes his deepening connection to his faith and Filipino culture. This also marks his first travel outside Calamba and exposure to different regions in the Philippines.

Did you know...

The image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was brought to the country from Mexico in 1626 and is believed to have miraculous powers or guidance for travelers. With this, Spanish Galleons brings the image on their voyages for safety. 

Must Try!

While exploring the town of Antipolo, you can also try their delicacies: Kasuy (cashew nuts), Suman and Kalamay (sweet sticky rice), found near the Cathedral or along the highways, 

Must Try!

While exploring the town of Biñan, you can also try their famous Puto Biñan, a pancake made from rice flour, topped with cheese or butter.

For more information about the town and Rizal, visit experiencebinan.com

Throughout his time in Ateneo, Rizal consistently excelled in all his subjects and received high honors every year until his graduation in 1877. Aside from this, Rizal was also active in extracurricular activities.

However, it’s important to note that at the time he studied in Ateneo, it was located in Intramuros. Even so, visiting Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan allows for appreciation of the rich history and legacy of the institution that continues to thrive in today’s modern society. We see the institution’s growth throughout the years into one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines, which continues to maintain and even raise its standards, serves as a model for other institutions and stands as a testament to Rizal’s lasting impact.

España Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila, 

Metro Manila

Just across the then campus of Ateneo, Rizal continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where he pursued a year in Philosophy and Letters, then later transferred to medicine. Although he was already a Thomasian, his loyalty remained with Ateneo. During his first year in UST, he just finished his course in surveying and still frequently visited the Ateneo campus.

As a medical freshman at UST, he experienced his first taste of Spanish brutality. A guardia Civil whipped out his sword and brutally slashed him on the back, which later caused his wound to last for two weeks. Although he was studying medicine, Rizal produced several poems and zarzuelas at that time. One notable example would be A La Juventud Filipina (1879), in which he won the poetry contest composed of Spaniard judges.

He described his experience in UST as unhappy and suffocating. He even mentioned in his novel, El Filibusterismo, the unpleasant experiences of Filipinos from the Dominican professors and Spanish classmates.

Did you know...

Doña Teodora, Rizal’s mother, opposed the idea of Rizal studying again in Manila, especially in UST. She feared that Rizal might become too knowledgeable and, like the martyr priests GomBurZa, become a target of the Spanish authorities.

The UST Main Building is the oldest university building preserved in Asia. It houses the UST Museum, which is a must-visit to explore more on religious artifacts, artworks, and natural history.

In today's time, Plaza Liga Filipina serves as a historical site to commemorate Jose Rizal's establishment of La Liga Filipina, the organization which aimed for unity and peaceful reforms against the Spanish Colonial government, and brought about revolutionary movements like the Katipunan.

Must Try!

Just a short jeepney ride away is Binondo, one of the world's oldest Chinatown, where you can indulge yourself in different Chinese delicacies and cuisine.

During Rizal’s sophomore year in UST, he lived in Intramuros for a while. There, he met his next-door neighbors’ daughter, Leonor Valenzuela (1878), whom he courted later on. 

Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila built by the Spaniards in 1571 within Intramuros, the "Walled City of Manila." On July 6, 1892, Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago and was kept incommunicado.

A tour in Intramuros will deepen your knowledge, especially when you visit some spots: Mi Ultimo Adios Gallery, the Rizal Museum where you get to see Rizal's personal belongings, the Church of Saint Augustine, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, built during the Spanish colonial period, and Casa Manila, a museum that showcases the lifestyle of affluent families at the time. This trip allows you to picture and get a glimpse of the environment and lifestyle during Rizal's time.

Visit intramuros.gov.ph for more information.

On July 15, 1892, at 12:30 midnight, Rizal was brought to Dapitan, Zamboanga. He lived in exile for four years, but despite this, he continued to live and served the Filipino people. First, he was able to set up a small clinic and practiced medicine, offering free consultations for those who cannot afford to pay. He was also visited by his patients from Calamba, Hong Kong, and different parts of the Philippines that paid him handsomely.

In a letter to Blumentritt dated December 19, 1893, Jose Rizal describes his life in Talisay, a town about a kilometer from Dapitan. He mentioned that he has three houses: one where he resides with his mother, sister, and nephew, second used for teaching his students, and third where he keeps his chickens, along with his rabbits, dogs, and cats. Rizal also mentioned that his house is near the shoreline, and owns two canoes. In 1893, he established a school that operated until 1896, offering English, Spanish, and arithmetic lessons in exchange for labor on his projects. 

José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

If you wish to deepen your understanding of Rizal’s life during his exile in Dapitan, a visit to the Rizal Shrine is highly recommended. Here, you’ll find one of his remarkable contributions: the first water system for Dapitan. Rizal, who graduated as a surveyor from Ateneo, applied his technical knowledge to build a waterworks system that provided the town with access to clean water. 

Located within the same vicinity, another project that is still present today is the Relief Map of Mindanao situated in the town plaza in front of the Church. When Rizal got to Dapitan, he decided to improve it and awaken the civic consciousness of the people by spearheading community projects for the town.

Roxas Blvd, Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila

(also known as Luneta Park, formerly called Bagumbayan) From Fort Santiago, the death march leads to Bagumbayan, or the present-day Rizal Park, the designated site of Rizal’s execution. 

On February 17, 1872, the GomBurZa were falsely charged with regards to the Cavite Mutiny and garroted at the very same location. This event was what inspired Rizal when writing El Filibusterismo.

Must Visit!

Located within the same vicinity is a Chinese garden annexed to the Rizal Park, the National Library of the Philippines, and the National Museum Complex. Visiting the places surrounding the Rizal Park, such as those mentioned, will provide you a deeper understanding and insight to the rich culture and history of the Philippines.

Did you know...

Fourteen years before Rizal’s execution, when he was still a medical student in Madrid, he wrote in his diary that he dreamt and predicted he would die on December 30th.

Jose Rizal arrived in Madrid in 1882 with a singular mission: to equip himself with the knowledge and skills necessary to fight for his country’s liberation. At the prestigious Universidad Central de Madrid, he pursued degrees in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal excelled academically, mastering not only medical sciences but also the arts, history, and various European languages. His time in Madrid was marked by intellectual and social growth. He frequently participated in gatherings with Filipino expatriates at places like Café de Madrid and Plaza Mayor, discussing reforms for the Philippines under the Spanish colonial regime. These debates laid the groundwork for the Propaganda Movement, where Rizal contributed articles to La Solidaridad, calling for equal rights and representation for Filipinos. His time in Madrid symbolized his transformation from a promising student into an articulate advocate for reform. 

In 1886, Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, Germany, to further his studies in ophthalmology under the mentorship of Dr. Otto Becker. His primary motivation was personal: he wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight. At the University Eye Hospital, Rizal honed his surgical skills, particularly in cataract removal. His time in Heidelberg was not solely focused on medicine. Rizal immersed himself in German culture and intellectual life, often writing letters and poems. One of his most heartfelt works, A Las Flores de Heidelberg, was penned during this period, reflecting his homesickness and dedication to the Philippines. Heidelberg also exposed Rizal to Germany’s discipline, orderliness, and progressive governance—qualities he admired and hoped to see implemented in his homeland. 

Berlin marked a pivotal moment in Rizal’s life and advocacy. Living modestly at Charlottenstrasse 75, he completed his groundbreaking novel, Noli Me Tangere, a scathing critique of Spanish colonial rule and the abuses of the friars. The novel, published in 1887, was a bold and revolutionary work that awakened Filipino nationalism. While in Berlin, Rizal also became part of the city’s intellectual circles, interacting with renowned scientists like Dr. Rudolf Virchow. His experiences in Berlin enriched his understanding of scientific and cultural progress, reinforcing his belief in the power of education and critical thinking as tools for societal change. Despite financial struggles, Rizal’s resilience and determination culminated in one of the most important works in Philippine history.

London was a safe haven for Rizal during a critical period of his advocacy. Here, he delved deep into Philippine history, conducting research at the British Museum. His most significant achievement in London was annotating Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a 17th-century historical text. Rizal’s annotations emphasized the cultural and political sophistication of pre-Hispanic Filipinos, challenging Spanish narratives that depicted Filipinos as uncivilized before colonization. Rizal lived modestly in Primrose Hill at the Beckett residence, where he balanced his research with contributions to La Solidaridad. His work in London not only reinforced Filipino pride but also exposed the injustices of Spanish colonialism on an intellectual level.

Brussels became Rizal’s temporary home during one of the most challenging periods of his life. Living frugally on Rue Philippe de Champagne, he devoted himself to completing El Filibusterismo, the sequel to Noli Me Tangere. While Noli criticized colonial abuses, Fili delved into the darker consequences of oppression and the growing call for revolution. Rizal’s time in Brussels was marked by financial difficulties, but his determination to finish his work never wavered. Despite these struggles, he remained active in the Propaganda Movement, corresponding with fellow reformists and strategizing the next steps for the Filipino cause. Brussels symbolized Rizal’s resilience and unwavering commitment to his mission.

Rizal’s stay in Hong Kong was a period of reflection and planning. Observing the efficient governance of the British colony, Rizal contrasted it with the corruption and inefficiency of Spanish administration in the Philippines. During this time, he practiced medicine, treating patients from various parts of Asia and earning enough to support himself. Rizal also drafted a plan to establish a Filipino colony in Borneo, envisioning a self-sufficient community free from Spanish oppression. Although the plan was abandoned, it reflected Rizal’s proactive and innovative approach to achieving Filipino liberation. Hong Kong served as both a sanctuary and a platform for his revolutionary ideas.

During a brief stop in Macau, Rizal visited the historic Our Lady of Penha Chapel. This Portuguese-style chapel, perched atop a hill, provided Rizal with a glimpse of the cultural and architectural blend of East and West. Macau’s vibrant mix of traditions fascinated Rizal, offering him new insights into colonial dynamics. While his time in Macau was short, it underscored his curiosity and appreciation for diverse cultures, which shaped his global perspective on governance and society. 

In Havana, Rizal volunteered as a military doctor during a cholera outbreak. Despite the risks, he treated patients with dedication and compassion. This act of service highlighted Rizal’s selflessness and commitment to the well-being of others, even under challenging circumstances. Havana symbolized Rizal’s unwavering dedication to his medical profession and his broader mission to serve humanity.