Did Rizal Studied in Universidad Central De Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

If you are a Filipino, you might have come across the name “Jose Rizal” at least once in your life. He is considered as the national hero of the Philippines and his works have been studied in schools for decades. As part of his education, it is widely believed that Rizal studied in Universidad Central de Madrid – but did he really?

Who is Jose Rizal?

Before we delve into his education, let’s first get to know who Jose Rizal is. Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.

He was a Filipino polymath – a person with expertise in different fields – who excelled in various subjects such as poetry, painting, sculpting, and politics. However, he is most known for his literary works which expressed his love for the Philippines and his desire for freedom from colonial rule.

Did Rizal study in Universidad Central de Madrid?

The short answer is yes – Jose Rizal did study in Universidad Central de Madrid but not all throughout his college years. He enrolled at the university on November 3, 1882, to pursue a degree in medicine. During his time there, he also took courses on philosophy and letters.

However, due to financial constraints and family issues back home, Rizal had to temporarily leave Spain and return to the Philippines. He then continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas where he earned his degree in medicine.

Rizal’s achievements while studying in Madrid

Despite not completing his medical degree at Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal still managed to accomplish notable achievements during his time there.

One of these accomplishments was when he won first prize for an essay he submitted to the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a literary society composed of Filipino and Spanish members. The essay was entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) which expressed his love for the Philippines and his desire for reform.

Another achievement was when he became a member of the Circulo Hispano-Filipino and was appointed as its corresponding secretary. This allowed him to meet influential people who shared his ideals for reform in the Philippines.

The impact of Rizal’s education in Madrid

Rizal’s education in Madrid played a significant role in shaping his views on Philippine society and colonial rule. He witnessed firsthand the injustices done by the Spanish colonizers to Filipinos, which fueled his desire to fight for change.

This is evident in his literary works such as “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) and “El Filibusterismo” (The Reign of Greed) – novels that exposed the corruption and abuses of the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines.

Conclusion

In summary, Jose Rizal did study at Universidad Central de Madrid but not all throughout his college years. Despite this, he still managed to accomplish notable achievements during his time there which contributed to his advocacy for Philippine reform. His education in Madrid had a significant impact on shaping his views on colonial rule, which is reflected in his literary works that continue to inspire Filipinos to this day.