Rizal opened a medical clinic in Hong Kong where he was reunited with family members who expressed a desire to stay in the British colony. Rizal reconsidered his political strategies after friends suggested more separatist approaches, like starting a movement under assimilation or rejecting the old corrupt generation. He weighed using force but was warned that revolution requires support from parts of the military, a distraction like a foreign war, funding and munitions, and outside backing. Rizal then planned a Filipino colony in North Borneo but his brother-in-law opposed leaving the Philippines after their sacrifices for the country.
1. Life at Hong Kong
Rizal left Europe via Marseilles, France on October 18, 1891 on board the
steamer Melbourne. He arrived in Hong Kong on November 20, 1891.
No. 5 D’Aguilar Street and No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace
- Where Rizal opened a medical clinic.
Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez – a Portuguese ophthalmologist in Hong Kong.
Before Christmas of 1891, Rizal was overjoyed by the
arrival of his father, brother, Silvestre Ubaldo and later on by Lucia,
Josefa, and Trinidad, in Hong Kong. Don Francisco and the rest of his
family members were very happy to see Rizal. Being able to see the
difference between life in the Philippines and Hong Kong, Don Francisco
expressed to Rizal his desire to stay permanently in this crown colony of
Britain.
Reawakening of Interest in Politics
Rizal re-awakened his interest in politics that led him to re-examine his
whole political strategy.
Luna and Evangelista – suggested Rizal to re-examine his political ideas
for a separatist propaganda, a policy of separation and independence.
• According to Luna, a separatist movement under the guise of
assimilation has to be started.
• According to Evangelista, the old corrupt generation of principales had
to be rejected.
Rizal considered the possibility of using force of arms to effect change in
the country. But, Blumentritt warned Rizal saying:
“Whoever begins a revolution should have at least the probability of
success.”
2. Four conditions necessary for revolution:
1. A Part of the army and the navy should rebel;
2. The metropolis should be at war with another country;
3. There were money and munitions; and
4. Some foreign country was to lend official or secret support to the
insurrection.
The Borneo Colonization Project
• North Borneo – place where Rizal conceived and planned the founding
of a Filipino colony.
• March 7, 1892 – date when Rizal visited the place.
• His mission was a success as the British authorities offered him 100,
000 acres of land free of charges for 99 years.
• Manuel Hidalgo – Rizal’s brother-in-law was not in favor of the project.
For him, there was no need to leave the Philippines considering the
sacrifices they had given for the country.