Rizal's Special Friend

Rizal’s Special Friend Mary Jade C. Aninon Western Mindanao State University

Abstract This research paper is to be made for a purpose of how friendship is developed with just a letter. Its objective is to study the friendship between both of the greatest personality of different places. A National hero found someone special in a foreign land yet has a heart for the Filipino people. A friendship that was brought to them with just a letter. Two great names between Jose Protacio Rizal y Alonzo Realonda and Ferdinand Blumentritt. The researcher have explored books from different authors that will help this project be successful and also the use of the internet. This project was based on the sources the researcher had. The researcher also explored the letters sent by Jose P. Rizal through the use of internet. Different blogs and websites are also used to help finish this project. It turned out how the friendship begun and how it was going. With just the letters the researcher found out the life Rizal had before for he wrote everything to his special friend. In this way even though they were not together distance would not affect the kind of friendship they had. This research would reach many people that they should give importance to their friends because no matter what happens friends are always be the one who will give comfort in times of agony. The researcher found out that in Rizal’s last minute, he did remember his friend and thanked him for he did not leave him in his bad times. A magical friendship sent through letters.

Rizal’s Special Friend It started with a letter. An extraordinary letter bounded with memories. Two great names in history having such friendship that no one could ruin nor destroy. How could it be? It was on February 8, 1886 when Jose P. Rizal arrived in a historic city in Germany which was known for its old university and romantic surrounding – Heidelberg. On his 5th month of staying in Heidelberg, he wrote his first letter to a professor named Ferdinand Blumentritt who was studying the Filipino language. Ferdinand Blumentritt was an Austrian Ethnologist and a Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz,Austria married to Musa Mueller. He was just one of the foreign people who has a heart of a Filipino. He was born on the 10th day of September year 1853 in Prague. (Spittael, 2011) The professor was amazed by the letter sent by Rizal and so he sent him a gift of two books as a response. A letter that brought them together into a beautiful friendship. Though they met only once it was not a hindrance to their friendship for they wrote each other a letter for once in a while. It was only more than 211 letters their correspondence consists of, yet their friendship has an unmeasurable memories marked in that letters. Ferdinand Blumentritt became his best friend and they ended up addressing each other as “Mein Bruder” which means My Brother in English. He was also Rizal’s number one proud supporter when it comes to his works and writings. A letter where Blumentritt stated “ I know already that you were a man of extraordinary talent: but inspite of this, your work has exceeded my hopes and I consider myself happy to have been honored with your friendship.” (Zaide, 2007) This alone shows how glad he was of being part of Rizal’s life and considered a special one. Everytime Rizal learned new languages, he would directly send Blumentritt a letter telling him the good news. Even in Rizal’s agony, Rizal wrote Blumentritt a letter expressing his bitterness. Until one day, a letter shocked Blumentritt. Though he was aware what his friend Rizal was facing, he was not that prepared of such situation thinking that it will be the last letter he’ll receive from his special friend, Jose P. Rizal. The letter from Fort Santiago which was written in German had a final note: “When you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience. Adieu, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me! ” (Zaide, 2007) Seventeen years had passed after the death of Jose P. Rizal, Ferdinand Blumentritt had come to an end on the 20th day of September 1913. Friendship is earned through sincerity. One does not need to meet each other to develop a friendship. Even the distance could never be a hindrance. Rizal, even in his last minute did not forget his special friend Ferdinand Blumentritt to write a letter for his formal farewell. A bid that in his afterlife will treasure the friendship they have shared. Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal’s special friend.

Bibliography

Ningaskugonbaga.blogspot. (2011, May 12). Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Noli Me Tangere : http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2011/05/ferdinand-blumentritt-sir-ernst.html
Austine, C. (1992). Rizal Nationalist and Patriot. Quezon: solidaridad.
Spittael, L. (2011, May 12). Ferdinand Blumentritt. Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Ferdinand Blumentritt Blog spot: http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2011/05/ferdinand-blumentritt-sir-ernst.html
Vano, M. O. (2001). Journey from semi-darkness into light. Quezon city.
Zaide, G. F. (2007). Works Writings And Life of Rizal. Quezon city: All Nations Publishings Company.

Bibliography: Ningaskugonbaga.blogspot. (2011, May 12). Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Noli Me Tangere : http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2011/05/ferdinand-blumentritt-sir-ernst.html Austine, C. (1992). Rizal Nationalist and Patriot. Quezon: solidaridad. Spittael, L. (2011, May 12). Ferdinand Blumentritt. Retrieved February 25, 2013, from Ferdinand Blumentritt Blog spot: http://ningaskugonbaga.blogspot.com/2011/05/ferdinand-blumentritt-sir-ernst.html Vano, M. O. (2001). Journey from semi-darkness into light. Quezon city. Zaide, G. F. (2007). Works Writings And Life of Rizal. Quezon city: All Nations Publishings Company.