Rizal took a trip to Hong Kong and Macau in February 1888. He stayed in Hong Kong for two weeks, where he was welcomed by exiled Filipinos. He observed Chinese New Year celebrations and theaters. Rizal then visited Macau for four days, seeing churches, gardens and casinos. He had a brief romance with a Japanese woman before departing for the United States via Japan. Rizal experienced controversy upon arriving in San Francisco due to quarantine rules. He traveled throughout the U.S. by train, staying briefly in cities like New York, before taking a ship to London.

1. RIZAL’S TRIP TO HONG KONG
AND MACAU
February 1888

2. Decided to
leave for the
2nd time
Left for
Hong Kong
on February
3, 1888
He planned
to return to
Europe via
Hong Kong,
Macao,
Japan, and
the United
States
When he
reached
Hong Kong,
he was
welcomed
by Filipinos
like Jose
Ma. Basa,
Balbino
Mauricio,
and other
Filipinos
who were
exiled there
Stayed in
Hotel
Victoria for
two weeks

3. Letter to Blumentritt
 Express his bitterness and sadness towards
his enemies who
 Accused him of holding secret meetings for the
purpose of overthrowing the Spanish government
which was unfounded
 Mentioned that his friends offered him money
which he could use in leaving the country not
only for their safety but also for theirs

4. Observation in the Chinese
culture
Chinese New Year,
include making
noise and exploding
fire crackers
Chinese Lauriat
parties, they served
many different
types of dishes
Chinese theatres
which used
symbolisms and
noisy music to
entertain an equally
noisy audience
He managed to visit
the churches and
cemeteries owned
by Catholics,
Protestants, and
Muslims

6. Visit in Macau
 Visited Macau for 4 days (Feb 18-21)
 Stayed at the residence of Don Juan
Francisco Lecaros
 Visited many cultural places like churches,
botanical gardens, and theatres and the
famous Macao Casino
 Went back to Hong Kong boarding the
steamer Kiu-Kiang
 Left for Japan on Feb 22, he boarded an
American steamer Oceanic.

7. Macau Casino Ruins of St.
Paul

8. INTERLUDE IN JAPAN

9. Interlude in Japan
 Arrived in Yokohama, Japan on Feb 28
 After staying at Tokyo Hotel for a few days, he
accepted the invitation of Mr. Juan Perez
Caballero, the Secretary of Spanish Legation
 He proved to the Spanish authorities that he
was not engaged in any subversive and anti-
Spanish activities
 Learned the Nipongo

10. Activities in Hong Kong
Studied kabuki,
Japanese arts,
music, and the
Judo
Visited shrines
Visited
Miyanoshita,
Hokane, Nikko,
Meguro, and
other villages
Had seen
Japanese
rickshaw, which
failed to impress
him

11. Japanese Kabuki

12. Romance with Seiko Usui a.k.a O-Sei-
San
 Met by chance sometime in the middle of March
1888, when he decided to enter a big store owned
by her family
 He approached the attractive lady who also speak
French and English and communication became
easier
 The cool spring climate, the fragrance of Japan’s
pink cherry blossoms, her charming ways, his
homesickness and longing for companionship
were the contributory factors in the blooming of
their amorous feelings

13. Sayonara O-Sei-San
 Although she was dear to him, his love for his
country and fellow Filipinos was greater
 He felt sad and miserable when he bade her
sayonara

14. Tetcho Suehiro
 Met by Rizal in the steamer Belgic, which
boarded on April 13 for USA
 Like Rizal, the Japanese journalist was also a
freedom fighter
 Also used pen as his weapon against the
injustices committed by the government
administration of his country

15. PASSAGE
THROUGH THE USA

16. RIZAL IN AMERICA
“I visited the cities of America,
with their grandiose edifices,
their electric lights, and their
great conceptions. America is,
undoubtedly a great country,
but she has many defects.”
- Jose Rizal
Peace Monument

17. The Controversy
 Via steamer Belgic, Rizal arrived in San
Francisco, USA on April 28, 1888.
 2 agencies that certified Belgic is free from
cholera epidemic
 The America consul of Japan
The British government of Hong Kong

18. The Controversy
 Cholera – raging epidemic in the
Far East according to the
Americans
All passengers are quarantined for
safety
Rizal was surprised because there
is no outbreak of the disease in the
Far East, thus he joined other
passengers in protest.

19. The Controversy
 643 Chinese coolies boarded the ship
– the coolies from China were
displacing white laborers in railroad
construction camp.
 But Rizal was questioning how come 700
bolts of silk were unloaded without
fumigation.

20. Rizal in San Francisco
 On Friday afternoon, May 4, 1888, Rizal
stayed in Palace Hotel (then a first class hotel)
in San Francisco

21. Palace Hotel (San Francisco)
Where Rizal Stayed for 2 days

22. Via Train
Sacramen
to
Reno,
Nevada
Ogden Utah
Salt Lake
City
ColoradoNebraska
Niagara
Falls
Albany
Hudson
River

23. New York today
Where Rizal stayed for three
days

24. US - London
He left the United States for Liverpool, London on
board the City of Rome, the second largest ship
in the world.
Great Eastern – largest ship in the world during
his time.

25. Rizal’s Comment about America
 He was impress by America’s material
progress as evidenced by its big progressive
cities, well-titled farms, and busy industrial
factories
 Also noticed the drive and energy of the
Americans, their scenic tourist spots, and their
high standards of living

26. Rizal’s Negative Comment
 Lack of racial equality, racial prejudice against
the blacks
 “America is a land par excellence of freedom
but only for the whites”

27. End...