“Rizal’s Travel to Other Countries: Their Contributions to His Heroism”

Spain

Jose Rizal was departed from spain, and it was kept secret from Spanish authorities.

On May 3, 1882 he boarded on Salvador bound for Singapore, and that time he was the only Filipino passenger. The captain of the ship, Donato Lecha from Asturias Spain, befriended him although some Spaniards who spoke ill of the Philippines peeved him.

He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884. The next academic year, he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. However, he did not submit the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma.

Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 19,1885 (his 24th birthday) with the rating of excellent.

Singapore

On May 11, Majority of the passengers were French-speaking. He tried to converse in French using what he learned from Ateneo.

On May 17, they arrived at Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He described the place as quiet, lonely and sad.

After a day of stay, the ship continued its voyage towards Colombo, the capital of Ceylon. He was impressed of its scenic beauty and elegant buildings. It was more beautiful and elegant that Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila as he compared.