Chapter 15: Rizals Second Sojourn in Paris and the Universal Exposition of 1889 Paris in the spring of 1889

was bursting with gaiety & excitement because of the universal Exposition Rizal fresh from London, was caught in the whirl of gay Parisian life. Despite the social parties & the glittering lights of the city, he continued his fruitful artistic, literary & patriotic labors. He published his annotated edition of Morgas Sucesos; founded three Filipino societies, the Kidlat Club, the Indios Bravos & the R.D.L.M.; & wrote Por Telefono, a satire against Fr. Salvador Font. * Universal ExpositionDifficulty of Finding Quarters =March 1889, it was extremely difficult for a visitor to find living quarters in Paris because of the Universal exposition which attracted thousands of tourists. =For a short time Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura, where he polished his annotated edition of Morgas Book. Life in Paris =Life in Paris was gay yet Rizal continued to be busy in his serious pursuit because for him hours were too precious to waste. =He used most of his time in reading, writing letters to his family and friends, daily exercise and visiting his friends. Rizal and Paris Exposition of 1889 =Rizal and his friends attended the opening and were fascinated by it. Paris was jammed with thousands of tourist coming from all parts the world. =One features of the exposition was the international art competition, in which Rizal and his colleague participated. His colleagues was awarded second and third prize but Rizals entry got no prize for his work of art is not good enough to win an international prize. Filipino Societies: Kidlat Club =March 19, 1889, Rizal organized his paisanos (compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club. =It was founded by Rizal simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the French Capital during the Universal Exposition in Paris. Indios Bravos =In their sightseeing tour, Rizal with the members of the Kidlat Club was amazed to see the buffalo Show which features the American Indians. =Rizal was enchanted by the dignified & proud bearing of the American Indians. Thus was born a new society patriots in Paristhe Indios Bravos. R.D.M.L Society =Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays) founded by Rizal in Paris during the Universal Exposition of 1889 *Mentioned this Secret Society: 1. Rizals Letter to Jose Maria Basa (Paris, September 21, 1889) 2. Rizals Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar (Paris, November 4, 1889) =patterned after Freesmasonry AIM: the propagation of all useful knowledge scientific, artistic, literary, etc. in the Philippines & the Redemption of the Malay Race *Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal 1. To have freedom of action to attain the aims of R.D.L.M which means the Redemption of the Malay Race Novemeber 23, 1892 Rizals writing to Blumentritt from Hongkong revealed his intention to be a leader of FREEDOM, if not in the Philippines, then in other lands. * Provisions for Bornean colonization: 1. Right of the colonists to buy the lands 2. Free use of the seashores 3. Unusual long term of lease for 999 years =a period of time long enough for many generations to form a nation and to consolidate its status Annotated Edition of Morga Published =Rizals outstanding achievement in Paris (1980) which he wrote in the British Museum and printed by Garnier Freres = Professor Blumentritt wrote the Prologue *Rizals errors: 1.) Rizal commits the error of many historians in appraising the events of the past in the light of present standards 2.) Rizals attacks on the church were unfair and unjustified because the abuses of the friars should not be construed to mean that Catholicism is bad. Rizal published Morgas Sucesos = best of the many histories of the Philippines written by the early Spanish writers. Dedicated new edition of Morga to the Filipino people >> to know their glorious past : TO THE FILIPINOS Proved that Filipinos were already civilized before the advent of Spain.

Comment on Morgas Publication Date =Paris, Libreria de Garnier Hermanos, 1890 title page of Rizals annotated edition of Morga = Documentary evidence to show that Rizals edition of Morga must have come off the press in 1889 not 1890. 3 Letters: October 12, 1889 Blumentritt received the edition (Leitmeritz) December 28, 1889 Rizal sent copies to Dr. Baldomero Roxas from Paris to Lipa December 31, 1889 Mariano Ponce received the book = Incontrovertible proofs that Morgas Sucesos came off the press in 1889. Rizal as Historian = Rizals research studies in the British Museum (London) and in the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris) enriched his historical knowledge. =Aside from his excellent annotations on Morgas book, Rizal wrote other works which qualify him to be a real historian. *The two historical commentaries written in London: 1.) Ma-yi (December 6, 1888) 2.) Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta (January 7, 1889) The Philippines Within a Century =Filipinas dentro de Cien Anos (The Philippines Within a Century), published in La Solidaridad in four issues on September 30, October 31, December 15, 1889 and February 15, 1890. =In the article of Rizal expressed his views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of Spains sovereignty in Asia. The Indolence of the Filipinos =Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos (The Indolence of the Filipinos), published in La Solidaridad in five successive issues on July 15, July 31, August 1, August 31 and September 1, 1890. =This other essay of Rizal is also a prestigious work of historical scholarship. It is an able to defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos. International Association of Filipinologists =Taking the advantage of world attention which was then the focused at the Universal Exposition of 1889 in Paris. =Rizal proposed to establish an International Association of Filipinologists and have its inaugural convention in the French capital. =Rizal first submitted this idea to Blumentritt in a letter dated January 14, 1889, and the latter gladly supported him. =He wrote the prospectus of this international association. Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong =Another magnificent project of Rizal in Paris which also fizzled out was his plan to establish a modern college in Hong Kong. =He wrote to his friend, Jose Maria Basa, about this matter. =This college aims to train and educate men of good family and financial means in accordance with the demands of modern times and circumstances. =Mariano Cunanan, a rich Filipino resident in Paris, from Mexico, Pampanga, promised to help him raise P40, 000 as initial capital for the college. Por Telefono =In the fall of 1889, Rizal wrote another satirical work entitled Por Telefono. It was published in booklet from Barcelona, 1889. =Rizal received the printed copies from Mariano Ponce, as revealed by his letter to the latter, dated Paris, August 13, 1889. =Dimas Alang (one of Rizals pen-names) is a witty satire which ridicules Father Font. Christmas in Paris =December 25, 1889 was a wintry day in Paris. *Two reasons why Rizal made a brief visit to London 1.) To check up his annotated edition of Morgas Sucesos with the original copy in the British Museum. 2.) To see Gertrude Beckett for the last time. =By the middle of January 1890. He was back in Paris.