Cover Jose Rizal’s statue at Fort Santiago (Photo: Jove Moya)
Jose Rizal’s statue at Fort Santiago (Photo: Jove Moya)
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There are houses whose stories were tarnished by time, and there are those that enjoy an indelible history. In this article, Tatler lists the houses that Dr Jose Rizal visited in his lifetime
Rizal’s ancestral home
Tucked in the streets of Laguna is a two-storey Spanish colonial home where Rizal was born. Many of the hero’s anecdotes often reference this house—the nipa hut in the garden where he learned to sculpt, the kitchen where he learned the alphabet, the bedroom where he used to pray, the library where he read books and more.
Historical accounts say that Rizal’s father, Francisco Rizal Mercado, took two years to build the ancestral house. In 1891, the friars confiscated it, but Paciano Rizal was able to retrieve it during the Philippine Revolution.
Above Rizal’s ancestral home in Laguna (Photo: Pinay Photography Blogspot)
Rizal’s ancestral home in Laguna (Photo: Pinay Photography Blogspot)
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The house was destroyed during World War II and eventually demolished. In 1949, under President Elpidio Quirino’s Executive Order No. 145, it was restored to its former glory. Today, it serves as a repository for the hero’s memorabilia.
Rizal’s ancestral home hails a bahay-na-bato design, Laguna’s most common house and lot styles during the Spanish colonial period. Its windows are made of capiz shells, while its other parts were built with stones, bricks, and hardwood.
His apartments in Madrid
The following were Rizal’s apartments during his Madrid sojourn
- Calle Amor de Dios 13-15
- Calle Fernandez y Gonzalez 8, 3º-4
- Calle Ventura de la Vega
- Calle Gran Via
- Calle del Barquillo 34, 4º
- Calle Pizarro 15Calle Cedaceros 11, piso principal
As an ilustrado (a person from an affluent family who studied abroad), Rizal could travel to Europe to learn from different professors; however, his home situation in Spain was plagued with challenges due to budget shortage. At the time, the poet only had a PhP35 to PhP50 monthly budget, making him hop from one apartment to another.
More from Tatler: What’s on a hero’s plate? 5 of Dr Jose Rizal’s favourite dishes
The studio of Juan Luna in Paris
Above Juan Luna’s studio apartment in Paris; Jose Rizal is at the right, along with Juan Luna y Novicio (holding a palette) and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, and an unidentified man on the left, sitting beside one of Luna's famous paintings titled ‘Odalisque’ (Photo: Rizalinfo.net)
Above Colorised version of Juan Luna's studio apartment in Paris; Jose Rizal is at the right, along with Juan Luna y Novicio (holding a palette) and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, and an unidentified man on the left, sitting beside one of Luna's famous paintings titled ‘Odalisque’ (Photo colorised by Kinulayang Nakaraan)
Juan Luna’s studio apartment in Paris; Jose Rizal is at the right, along with Juan Luna y Novicio (holding a palette) and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, and an unidentified man on the left, sitting beside one of Luna's famous paintings titled ‘Odalisque’ (Photo: Rizalinfo.net)
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In 1883, Rizal went on vacation to Paris, France, where he stayed with his friend Juan Luna, a renowned painter and fellow ilustrado.
Luna's art studio and apartment, which was located at 65 Boulevard Arago in the 13th arrondissement, became Rizal’s home for a short period. There, Rizal was often seen posing for a few of Luna's works, most notably as Sikatuna in The Blood Compact (El Pacto de Sangre, 1886).
Related: Mad or genius? 7 of Juan Luna’s most intriguing works and their meaning
The Wilhelmsfeld Vicarage in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany
Above The vicarage in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany where Rizal stayed and wrote the last chapters of his novel Noli Me Tangere (Photo and caption: Malou Francisco, EBC Europe Bureau, Eagle News Service)
The vicarage in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany where Rizal stayed and wrote the last chapters of his novel Noli Me Tangere (Photo and caption: Malou Francisco, EBC Europe Bureau, Eagle News Service)
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In 1886, Rizal travelled to Germany and stayed in the quarters of Pastor Karl Ullmer and his family. The former met the latter when he strolled on the slopes of Odenwald, Heidelberg, one day. Rizal immersed himself in German culture and eventually learned the language.
Tatler Trivia: Rizal began writing the last few chapters of Noli Me Tangere in the house of pastor Ullmer.
No 2 Rednaxela Terrace in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Rednaxela Terrace in Hong Kong where Rizal once lived (Photo: Giselle Kasilag)
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An apartment that Rizal and his family occupied from 1891 to 1892 was somewhere in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong. In this country, he worked as an eye clinician and used a space in 5 D’Aguilar Street, Central District, as his opthalmologist clinic.
See more: See Hong Kong’s hidden traditional villages before they disappear
Intramuros
Above Fort Santiago (Photo: Manila Bulletin)
Fort Santiago (Photo: Manila Bulletin)
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The House of Doña Concha Leyva
As a student, Rizal stayed in the house of Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros. Next door was the quarters of Capital Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela, the parents of Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, the hero’s childhood sweetheart for 11 years. Even without a special occasion, Rizal would always stay and impress the Valenzuela’s with hit cleverness and sleight-of-hand tricks.
Rizal was strongly attached to Valenzuela and pursued her by sending love letters with invisible ink that could only be read when heated over a candle or lamp. The ink was a mixture of substances he had learned in his chemistry class.
Read more: Dr Jose Rizal: Who were the women in the National Hero’s life?
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago was the place of Rizal’s execution in 1898. It also served as a barracks for Spanish artillery soldiers during Spain’s colonisation. During his stay here, the hero wrote his famous poem Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) and hid it in an oil lamp that was given to his sister Trinidad.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
