Rizal was a meticulous historian who rigorously cited sources for his work. He conducted extensive research in libraries in London and Paris, reading materials from various countries in several languages. Some of his historical works included analyzing past Philippine glory, criticizing Spanish colonial policies, and predicting future independence if reforms did not occur. He helped establish an organization to scientifically study Philippine history.

1. RIZAL AS HISTORIAN
Rizal’s research studies in the British
Museum (London) and in
Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris)
enriched his historical knowledge.
His annotations to Morga’s book
showed his familiarity with
historiography.
He told Isabelo de los Reyes, “A
historian ought to be rigorously
imparted…I never assert anything on
my own authority. I cite texts and
when I do, I have them before me.”

2. RIZAL AS HISTORIAN
First Voyage Around the World
(Italian) Antonio Pigafetta
Historical works of Marsden, Raffles,
Lord Stanley, and Wallace in English
Writings of Blumetritt, Jagor, Virchow
in German
Books of M. Jacquet, J. Mallat, & A.
Marche in French
Works of TH Pardo de Tavera & Pedro
Paterno, in Spanish

3. Other works of Rizal which
Qualify him to be a Real
Historian:
1. Ma- yi
2. Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta
3. Filipinas Dentro de Cien Anos
4. La Politica Colonial on Filipinas
5. Historia de la Familia Rizal de Calamba
6. Los Pueblos del Archipelago Indico

4. The Philippines Within a
Century
In this article, Rizal portrayed the
glorious past of the Filipino people,
described its economic stagnation
and unhappiness under the harsh
and bungling Spanish rule.
At the last paragraph, he also
peered into the future and warned
Spain of what would happen to its
colonial empire in Asia if she would
not adopt a more liberal and
enlightened policy toward
Philippines.

6. The Indolence of the
Filipinos
An essay, which is an able defense of the alleged
indolence of the Filipinos.
Reasons why Filipinos did not work hard during
Spanish regime :
1. The native revolts and the other internal
disorders which followed the establishment of
American rule
2. The wars which the Filipinos fought for Spain
against the Dutch, Portuguese, English and other
enemies
3. The frightful raids of the Muslim pirates

7. The Indolence of the
Filipinos
4.The forced labor, resulting in the abandonment of industry,
commerce and agriculture
5. Lack of stimulus to work harder because the people could
not enjoy the fruits of their labor
6. Government neglect and indifference to agriculture,
commerce and industry
7. The bad example shown by the Spaniards on despising
manual labor
8. The teaching of the Spanish missionaries
9. Encouragement and propagation of gambling by the
Spanish authorities
10. System of Spanish education did not promote the
economic enterprise and activity

8. International Association of
Filipinologists
Aim: To study the Philippines from the scientific and
historical point of view.
 The officers:
President: Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian)
Vice –Pres: Edward Plauchut (French)
Counsellor: Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-German)
Counsellor: Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish)
Secretary: Dr. Jose Rizal (Filipino)
The holding of Inaugural convention did not
materialize because the French government
discourage the holding of conferences by private
organization for the period of international
exposition.

9. Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
Dr. Reinhold Rost

10. Project for Filipino College
in Hong Kong and financial
 Aim: To train and educate men of good family
means in accordance to the demands of modern times and
circumstances
 Mariano Cunanan – promised to raise P40,000 as initial
payment of the college
 Curriculum:
o Ethics- Study of Religion – Natural Law – Civil law –
Deportment – Hygiene
o Mathematics – Physics and Chemistry – Natural History –
Geography – Political Economy
o Universal History – Philippine History – Logic – Rhetoric –
Poetics
o Spanish – English – French – German – Chinese – Tagalog
o Gymnastics – Equitation – Fencing – Swimming – Music –
Drawing – Dancing

11. Por Telefono
Rizal wrote Por Telefono in the fall of 1889 in
Barcelona as reply to another slanderer, Fr.
Salvador Font who was the mastermind of
banning Noli.
This was under the authorship of “Dimas
Alang”
Describes in comical vein a telephone
conversation between Fr. Font who was in
Madrid and father provincial of St. Agustin
Convent in Manila.

12. Por Telefono
Demonstrates Rizal’s prophetic insight:
o In the year 1900, Philippines was
connected to Metropolis by means of
telephone laid out by Anglo-Catalan
company called Trans-Oceanic
Telephone Company.
o Rizal predicted much ahead of time
that people could carry on overseas
telephonic conversations.

13. Christmas in Paris
Rizal and Jose Albert planned to have sumptuous
Christmas dinner – fried chicken, rice and vegetables.
After New Year, Rizal made a brief visit to London
due to two reasons:
o To check up his annotated edition of Morga’s
Sucesos with the original copy in British Museum
o To see Gertrude Beckett for last time
By mid January 1890, he was back in Paris and
suffered a terrible headache.