jose Rizal was a man with a plan, and that plan would lead him to hop from one European nation to another.
It is widely known that Jose Rizal is a prolific writer and revolutionary. The same goes for him being a polyglot–able to converse in 22 languages–and of course, being regarded as a Philippine national hero. What isn’t discussed all too often, however, is his trip to Europe, particularly his stay in Germany, through which he had forged bonds with people who would help him produce his iconic novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and garner achievements that added to his already-glowing legacy.
Curious about that not-too-often-underscored part of the hero’s life, I attended Inspirien: The Life of Rizal in Germany, a forum that documented Rizal’s exploits in Berlin, Wilhelmsfeld, Barcelona, and other parts of Europe, held at the Enderun Amphitheater. Guiding me and a flock of students through Rizal’s tour were Lucien Spittael, the foremost Rizal scholar in Europe, and Dr. Fritz Hack, the great grandson of Pastor Karl Ullmer, whom Rizal considered a dear friend.
Piecing together Rizal’s stay in Europe wasn’t exactly a cakewalk–a fact that the two illustrious speakers can attest to–but the heroic ophthalmologist from Laguna was known to update his travel diary whenever he felt or encountered something he deemed significant, as if travel blogging were already a thing during the late 18th century. Pepe, as he was nicknamed, was also skilled in magnetizing people not only through his writing, but also as a natural charmer. As many accounts have implied, Rizal was an expert in blending in seamlessly with people whom he just met, and was even better with the ladies.
And so his journey began, a chunk of which was presented to us by Lucien Spittael.
