Chapter 5: Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas (1877–1882).

1. What university did Rizal attend after graduating from Ateneo?

Answer: University of Santo Tomas.

When did Rizal enter UST?

April 1877

2. What course did Rizal first take at UST?

Answer: Philosophy and Letters.

4. Why did Rizal initially choose Philosophy and Letters?

Answer: His father preferred the course, and Rizal had not yet decided on a career.

3. Why did Rizal later shift to Medicine?

Who adviced Rizal to study medicine?

Answer: Because Father Pablo Ramon advised him to study medicine and because he wanted to cure his mother's failing eyesight.

Fr. Pablo Ramon; The former Rector of Ateneo

4. Why did Doña Teodora oppose Rizal's university education?

Answer: She feared the Spaniards would persecute or kill him, just as they did GomBurZa.

5. Who encouraged Rizal to continue higher education despite his mother's objections?

Answer: Don Francisco and Paciano Rizal.

6. What surveying title did Rizal earn?

Answer: Perito Agrimensor (Expert Surveyor).

6. Why did Rizal transfer to Medicine?

Answer: He wanted to become a doctor to treat his mother's worsening eyesight.

7. What subjects did Rizal study during his first year in Philosophy and Letters?

Answer: Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.

8. While studying at UST, what other course did Rizal continue?

Answer: The surveying course at Ateneo.

9. What title did Rizal earn after finishing the surveying course?

Answer: Perito Agrimensor (Expert Surveyor).

10. Why wasn't Rizal immediately awarded the surveying title?

Answer: He was below the required age of 18.

11. When did Rizal officially receive the title of surveyor?

Answer: November 25, 1881.

12. Why did Rizal continue visiting Ateneo even after enrolling at UST?

Answer: He remained loyal to Ateneo, continued extracurricular activities, and had many happy memories there.

13. What organizations did Rizal actively serve in Ateneo during his UST years?

Answer: President of the Academy of Spanish Literature, Secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences, and Secretary of the Marian Congregation.

14. Who was "Miss L"?

Answer: An unidentified young woman from Calamba whom Rizal briefly courted.

15. Why did Rizal stop courting Miss L?

Answer: Because he still loved Segunda Katigbak and his father disapproved of Miss L's family.

16. Who was Leonor Valenzuela?

Answer: Rizal's next romantic interest while he boarded in Intramuros.

17. How did Rizal secretly write to Leonor Valenzuela?

Answer: Using invisible ink made from salt and water

18. Did Rizal propose marriage to Leonor Valenzuela?

Answer: No.

19. Who became Rizal's most important sweetheart during his UST years?

Answer: Leonor Rivera.

20. What nickname did Leonor Rivera use in her letters to Rizal?

Ans: Taimis

21. What unfortunate incident happened to Rizal during the 1878 summer vacation?

Answer: A Guardia Civil lieutenant slashed him with a sword because Rizal unknowingly failed to salute him.

22. To whom did Rizal report the incident?

Answer: Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera.

23. What was the result of Rizal's complaint?

Answer: Nothing happened because the abusive officer was a Spaniard.

24. In 1879, what poem won Rizal first prize?

Answer: To the Filipino Youth (A La Juventud Filipina).

25. What prize did Rizal receive for the poem?

Answer: A silver pen with a gold ribbon.

26. Why is To the Filipino Youth historically significant?

Answer: It was the first major Spanish poem by a Filipino to win recognition and declared Filipino youth as the hope of the nation.

27. What literary work won Rizal another first prize in 1880?

Answer: The Council of the Gods (El Consejo de los Dioses).

28. What was the prize for The Council of the Gods?

Answer: A gold ring engraved with the bust of Cervantes.

29. Why were many Spaniards upset about Rizal's victory?

Answer: Because a Filipino defeated Spanish writers in a national literary competition.

30. What zarzuela did Rizal write in 1880?

Answer: Junto al Pasig.

31. What hidden message did Junto al Pasig contain?

Answer: It criticized Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

32. What poem did Rizal write for the Society of Sculptors?

Answer: A Filipinas.

33. What poem did Rizal dedicate to Father Pablo Ramon?

Answer: Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon.

34. Where did Rizal travel in May 1881?

Answer: Pakil and Pagsanjan, Laguna.

35. Why did Rizal visit Pakil?

Answer: To visit the shrine of Birhen Maria de los Dolores and witness the Turumba festival.

36. Why did Rizal also visit Pagsanjan?

Answer: To see the famous Pagsanjan Falls and visit the hometown of Leonor Valenzuela

37. How did Rizal describe Pagsanjan Falls years later?

Answer: He considered it more beautiful than Niagara Falls.

38. What problem existed between Filipino and Spanish students at UST?

Answer: Frequent discrimination and violent fights.

39. What secret student organization did Rizal establish?

Answer: Compañerismo (Comradeship).

40. Who served as the secretary of Compañerismo?

Answer: Galicano Apacible.

41. Why was Rizal unhappy at UST?

Answer: Because of discrimination by Dominican professors, racial prejudice from Spanish students, and outdated teaching methods.

42. How did Rizal describe UST's science instruction?

Answer: Laboratory equipment existed but students were not allowed to use it.

43. Despite being an outstanding Ateneo graduate, how did Rizal perform academically at UST?

Answer: His grades were generally good but he did not achieve the same outstanding honors he earned at Ateneo.

44. After finishing his fourth year of Medicine in 1882, what major decision did Rizal make?

Answer: He decided to continue his medical studies in Spain.

45. Why did Rizal keep his plan to study abroad a secret from his parents and Leonor Rivera?

Answer: He knew they would oppose his decision or be unable to keep it confidential.