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1. 
Misfortunes in
Madrid
(1890-91)
Chapter 7

2. 
This chapter consists of adversities encountered by
Rizal when he was in Madrid. August 1890 when he arrived
in the place to seek justice for his family and Calamba
tenants. As he was there, he almost fought two duels – one
with Antonio Luna and the other was Wenceslao Retana. Not
only that, but also the infidelity of Leonor Rivera broke his
heart. Many were the sad moments he experienced not just
those facts given above.
But still he survived.
Introduction

3. When Rizal arrived in Madrid, he implored help from
Asociacion Hispano-Filipina and other liberal Spanish
newspapers to secure those Calamba tenants and his
family.
* Marcelo H. del Pilar – lawyer
* Dr. Dominador Gomez – secretary of
Asociacion Hispano-Filipina
*Senor Fabie – Minister of Colonies
FAILURE TO GET JUSTICE FOR HIS
FAMILY
To help him protest the injustices committed by Governor-General
Valeriano Weyler and Dominicans

4. 
Q1. What is the Spanish colonial policy stated in the Madrid
newspaper EI Resumen?
* “To cover the ears, open the purse and fold the arms”
MORE TERRIBLE NEWS
1. From Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law) – ejectment
order by the Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other
Calamba tenants;
2. From Saturnina – deportation of Paciano Rizal, Antonino
Lopez, Silvestre Ubaldo, Mateo Elejorde, Dandoy to Mindoro.
3. From Saturnina – their parents were forcibly ejected from
their home and were living in Narcisa’s house.

5. 
• Becerra and Maura – honeyed words of sympathy and
nothing else.
• Blumentritt – urged Rizal to Queen Regent Maria Cristina
(minority of Alfonso XII)

6. 
• Jose Ma. Panganiban
- co-worker in the Propaganda Movement
- Died in Barcelona in the age of 27
- August 19, 1890
Feliciano Gonzales Timbang
RIZAL’S EULOGY TO
PANGANIBAN
Rizal wrote a great eulogy expressing how great was
Jose Ma. Panganiban and how unfortunate Philippines was that he
died.

7. 
ABORTED DUEL WITH
ANTONIO LUNA

8. 
A social reunion was held and wines were usually served.
When Antonio Luna became drunk, he uttered unpalatable
remarks against Nellie Boustead for he was bitter that time. The
reason was he failed in winning the heart of the latter and he
blamed Rizal.
Rizal heard it and because Rizal does not want women to be
disgraced, he challenged Luna to a fight.

9. 

10. 
*Jose Rizal – better pistol shot
*Antonio Luna – superior as a swordsman
But, when Luna became sober, he realized how foolish
he did. Immediately, he apologize to Rizal and the latter forgave
making them good friend again.
Aborted Duel With
Antonio Luna

11. 
Rizal was not a hot-tempered nor he was
quarrelsome in nature, but if his parents and family
were attack, he never falter nor stammer to fight just to
save them.
*Wenceslao Retana
- talented Spanish scholar
- press agent of the friars in Spain
- Rizal’s bitter enemy in pen
RIZAL CHALLENGES
RETANA TO DUEL

12. 
He wrote an article in La Epoca which was an anti-Filipino
newspaper in Madrid. The article declares that Rizal’s family
and friends were ejected from Calamba because they did not
paid their rents.
Rizal, after hearing the insult was enraged and
challenged Retana to a duel for only Retana’s blood can be
accepted as an apology because of what he had done to Rizal’s
family.
RIZAL CHALLENGES
RETANA TO DUEL

13. 
Retana who know that he had no chance of winning,
published a retraction and an apology in the same newspaper.
From that incident, Retana’s pen became silent.
Eventually, he developed a great admiration for Rizal and made
the first book-length biography of the greatest Filipino hero.
RIZAL CHALLENGES
RETANA TO DUEL

14. 
 Autumn of 1890: Rizal attended a play at Teatro
Apolo in Madrid. It was there where he lost his gold
watch chain with a locket containing the picture of
Leonor Rivera, his beloved sweetheart.
 December 1890: Rizal received a letter from Leonor,
announcing her coming marriage to an Englishman
and asking his forgiveness. That letter was a great
blow to him.
Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

15. 
 It took several weeks for Rizal to confide to his best
friend, Blumentritt about the letter.
 In his reply to Rizal, dated February 15, 1891, he
consoled him. In a part of the letter he stated: “…for I
know your heart is pained; but you are one of the heroes
who conquer pain from a wound inflicted by a woman,
because they follow higher ends. You have a courageous
heart, and you are in love with a nobler woman, the
Motherland.”
Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

16. 
 Three months later, Blumentritt sent another
comforting letter saying: “ …If she was able to
renounce a Rizal, she did not possess the nobility of your
spirit.”
Infidelity of Leonor Rivera

17. 
 Closing days of 1890: There arose unfortunate rivalry
between Rizal and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

18. 
 Rizal was then the undisputed leader of the Filipinos
in Europe.
 Del Pilar was a fearless lawyer-journalist known for
his vigorous editorials in La Solidaridad, which he
came to own.
 Del Pilar has purchased this from Pablo Rianzares,
its first proprietor, and replaced Graciano Lopez
Jaena as its editor.
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

19. 
 Rizal tried to imbue his compatriots with his own
idealism. This was to gain prestige for the
Propaganda Movement and to win the respect of the
Spanish people.
 His idealism: Possess high standards of morality,
dignity and spirit of sacrifice.
 This was not shared by frivolous countrymen who
were more interested with wine, women and cards.
 Consequently, Rizal’s leadership declined.
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

20. 
 Some of his former admirers turned against him
because they resented his interference with their
private lives. They became supporters of Del Pilar
 The editorial policy of La Solidaridad under Del Pilar
enhanced the cleavage between Rizal and Del Pilar.
 Rizal and his close friends objected to the editorial
policy because it was contrary to Rizal’s political
views.
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

21. 
 January 1, 1891: the Filipinos in Madrid met to patch
up their differences and to intensify the campaign for
reform.
 They decided to have an election to name the
Responsable who was to direct the affairs and
determine the editorial policy.
 Del Pilar opposed this as it was a private enterprise,
though he was willing to publish articles that would
express the aspirations and demands of the Filipino
people.
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

22. 
 Through Del Pilar’s opposition, the proposition to
place La Solidaridad under the control of the
Responsable was abandoned.
 The meeting proceeded to the business of electing
the Responsable.
 It was agreed that the Responsable should be elected
by a two-thirds vote of the Filipino community.
Rizal – Del Pilar Rivalry

23. 
 First week of February, 1891: The election took place.
 There were two hostile camps: the Rizalistas and the
Pilaristas
 Passion ran high, inflaming animosity and disunity
in the ranks of the compatriots.
 On the first day of voting, Rizal was winning, but he
could not obtain the required 2/3rds vote to be
proclaimed as the Responsable. The same thing
happened the second day.
 The situation was becoming explosive and critical.
Rizal Abdicates
His Leadership

24. 
 On the third day, Mariano Ponce appealed to his
countrymen to vote for Rizal. Some Pilaristas,
evidently, heeded his plea.
 The voting that day resulted in Rizal’s victory. He
became the Responsable.
 Rizal graciously declined the coveted position; he
did not relish being a leader of a divided people.
 He didn’t want to be the cause of disunity and
bitterness among his countrymen.
Rizal Abdicates
His Leadership

25. 
 Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for
electing him as Responsable.
 He then boarded a train leaving for Biarritz
 City of Madrid: a place where he was happy during
his first sojourn (1882-85), but unhappy on his
second visit (1890-91)
 This was the last time he saw Madrid
Adios, Madrid

26. 
 Rizal’s agonizing heart bade goodbye to the
metropolis, of which he had written years ago:
“Madrid is one of the gayest cities of the world which
combines the spirit of Europe and the East, which has adopted
the orderliness, the convenience, the bon ton of civilized
Europe without disdaining, without repelling, the brilliant
colours, the ardent passions, the primitive customs of the
African tribes, of the chivalrous Arabs whose traces are still
recognizable everywhere, in the look, feelings and prejudices
of the people and even in their laws.”
Adios, Madrid