Chapter 17

Misfortunes in Madrid
(Reaction Paper)

I was so impressed with Dr. Jose Rizal because even through hard times in his life he
still seek justice for the Calamba tenants and specially for his family. Rizal never surrender for
every challenges and problems that he had to encounter in his life. Rizal attended the social
reunion of the Filipino people in Madrid, and one of the guest was Antonio Luna, who was drunk
at that time because of her jealousy to Rizal to her loved Nellie and because of that he uttered
some certain unsavory remarks about Nellie. Rizal felt angry to Antonio Luna and asked him for
a duel. When Luna became sober, he realized that he made a big mistake so he immediately
apologized to Nellie for everything he had done and also to Rizal. When Rizal departed, he
wrote to his compatriots for electing him as responsible and he left Madrid unhappy because of
his disappointments.
 Chapter 18
Biarritz Vacations and Romance with Nelly Boustead
(Reaction Paper)

When Rizal arrived in Biarritz he was warmly welcomed by Mr. Boustead’s and meets
the Boustead’s Family. One of the daughters of Mr. Boustead was Nellie and Rizal befriended
with Nellie and to the Boustead’s Family. I didn’t expect that Rizal would like to propose a
marriage to Nellie because of her beauty but because Rizal found her a real Filipina. When
Nelly’s mother found out that Rizal asked the hands of her younger daughter Nellie, she won’t
love that her daughter marry a man who was a poor in material things. Although Rizal and Nellie
won’t get married they still parted each other as good friends. Rizal finished his writings in El
Filibusterismo in Biarritz and after the frustrated romance with Nellie, he found consultation in
writing. Rizal bade a farewell to the hospitable and friendly Boustead’s. He proceeded to Paris
by train. Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad because Rizal needs to work for his books, he
also wanted other Filipinos to work and Rizal considered a very important party that there be a
unity in the work.

Chapter 19
 El Filibusterismo Published in Ghent
(Reaction Paper)

Rizal left to Brussels for Ghent because he found that printing in Ghent was way
cheaper than in Brussels and also he want to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite
Suzanne that is why he left Brussels. Rizal feared that the printing of El Filibusterismo will
besuspended because of financial problem and he need to leave the work for half-finished.
Valentin Ventura in Paris helped Rizal and immediately sends him the necessary funds for the
printing of el Filibusterismo. Rizal was very happy when the printing of El Filibusterismo finished
early. I never thought that Rizal would still give a dedication for the GOM-BUR-ZA. Rizal still had
not forgotten the martyrdom of the tree priests. With the other unfinished novels that Rizal
wrote, one of them is entitled “Makamisa” a novel in tagalong. I was so amazed with Rizal
because if his novels and he had also written untitled novels that he wanted to print it as soon
he finished it all.

Chapter 20
 Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong
(Reaction Paper)

When Rizal departed to Europe for Hong Kong, despite of his disappointments he
finished writing and printing all his novels. He arrived to Hong Kong with a delightful heart. In the
fast steamer going to Hong Kong the passengers of Rizal were most German ladies. The
German ladies were gossiping about Rizal, but the ladies did not know that Rizal understood
what they were saying. The German ladies were embarrassed and treated Rizal with admiration
and respect, despite his brown skin for he was a cultured gentleman. Rizal received a letter
from his brother-in-law Manuel Hidalgo about the happenings in Calamba and to his family. I
never thought that the family of Rizal will celebrate their Christmas Eve in Hong Kong. They
were happy to see each other especially the mother as he saw it. Rizal cured his mother from
being blind. After a few days, Rizal decides to return to his homeland, in Manila. Before Rizal
departed to Hong Kong he had wrote some letters for his family and friends. Rizal falls into the
Spanish Trap, there is a secret case that filed in Manila against Rizal. Meanwhile, Rizal and his
sister were peacefully crossing the China Sea, they were fully unaware of the Spanish duplicity.

Chapter 21
 Second Homecoming and the Liga Filipina
(Reaction Paper)

Rizal arrived to Manila with his widowed sister Lucia. Even though he already had a
secret case he still fight for what the right of the Filipino people and for his family. Rizal visited
his friends in Central Luzon, he also have an interviews with Despujol. Despujol was the
Governor General in Central Luzon. Founding of the Liga Filipina, Rizal attended a meeting of
the patriots at the house of a Chinese-Filipino mestizo. Rizal explained the Liga Filipina, He
presented the Constitution of Liga which he had written in Hong Kong and discussed it. The
Constitutions of Liga Filipina follows. After to their meeting, Rizal went to their Hotel and stay
with his sister. I didn’t expect that Rizal will be arrested and put into jail to the Fort Santiago by
the Governor General which is Despujol. The General showed him some printed leaflets which
entitle PobresFraile (Poor Friars). The Braved Rizal vigorously denied having those leaflets in
Lucia’s baggage. Despite of all his denial and insistent demand, Rizal placed under arrest and
escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol.