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Chapter 20
Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong

Reasons for leaving Europe:
 Life was unbearable in Europe because of political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos  To be near his idolized Philippines and family

Farewell to Europe:
 Left Ghent for Paris on Oct. 3 1891  Stayed there to say goodbye to the Lunas, the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas and other friends  Proceeded by train to Mersailles  Boarded a steamer "Melbourne" bound for Hong Kong on Oct 18  Brought with him a letter of recommendation by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus and 600 copies of El Filibusterismo

The trip to Hong Kong:
 The trip was delightful and heavenly is Rizal's opinion  There were over 80 first-class passengers and Rizal was the only Asian among them  Amazed his fellow-passengers because of his knowledge of many languages and his skill in sketching  "Rizal and the German ladies" incident

Arrival in Hong Kong:
Business Card shows Dr. Jose Rizal is an Ophthalmologist in Hong Kong

 Rizal was welcomed by the Filipino residents especially his friend, Jose Ma. Basa  Established his residence/clinic at No. 5 D'Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace  On Dec. 1, 1891, he wrote to his parents asking their permission to return home  He received a letter from Manuel T. Hidalgo relating the sad news of the "deportation of 20 persons from Calamba including his father, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of us”

Family Reunion in Hong Kong:
 Before Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and his brother-in-law, Silvestre Ubaldo  Not long afterwards his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa and trinidad arrived  The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal's life

Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong:
 To earn a living for himself and his family, he practiced medicine  Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez help him build a wide clientele  Rizal became a successful and wellknown medical practitioner in the British colony
Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques

 He successfully operated his mother's left eye  He possessed the qualities of a great ophthalmic surgeon, he would have become one of Asian’s eminent ophthalmologist
Hong Kong Government erected a plaque beside Dr. Jose Rizal residence in Hong Kong

Borneo Colonization Project:
 Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah)  He went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony  He was successful and the British authorities of Borneo were willing to give 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges. By April 20, he was back in Hong Kong

North Borneo (Sabah))

Fishing boats in jetty

Sandakan Village

 His friends in Europe (Juan and Antonio Luna, Lopez Jaena, Blumentritt, Dr. Bautista Lin etc.) endorsed his Borneo Colonization project.  Hidalgo objected to the colonization project  New trends of events in the Philippines gave Rizal a new hope for realizing his Borneo project.

 The infamous General Weyler was relieved of his gubernatorial office.  A new governor general Eulogio Despujol announced to the Filipino people a fine program of government.  In the belief that Governor Despujol was sincere in his promises of a better government , Rizal sent him a letter of felicitation and offering his cooperation.  The governor general did not acknowledge receipt of his letter even when Rizal wrote a second letter that was given to a ship captain to ensure that it would reach the governor's hand.

Writings in Hong Kong
 Not withstanding the pressure of his medical practice and his borneo colonization project, Rizal continued his writings.  The most important writing made by Rizal during his Hong Kong sojourn was the Constitution of Liga Filipina. To deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carried false information that the printing was done by the London Printing Press.  The idea of establishing Liga Filipina was originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa, but it was Rizal who wrote its constitution and realized its establishment. Copies of the printed Liga constitution were sent by Rizal to his friend in Manila.

Decision to Return to Manila
 Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila for the following reasons:
1.

2.

3.

To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid

Governor Despujol

Last Hong Kong Letters
 Relatives and friends of Rizal opposed his decision to return home but not even death could stop Rizal from his decision.  In his 31st birthday in Hong Kong, he had a premonition of his death and on the following day he wrote 2 letters which he sealed in each envelope "to be opened after my death" and gave it to his friend, Dr. Marques for safekeeping.  The first letter was addressed to his parents ,brethren and friends.  The second letter was addressed to the Filipinos  Rizal wrote another letter in Hong Kong for Governor Despujol, he informed the governor general of his coming to Manila and placed himself under the protection of the Spanish government.

Rizal Falls into Spanish trap...
 Rizal and Lucia left Hong Kong and they carried a special passport of safe conduct issued by Spanish consul general in Hong Kong.  Immediately after Rizal's departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish consul-general who issued the government guarantee of safety sent a cablegram to the Governor Despujol stating that the victim "is in the trap".  On the same day, a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation.