Unraveling Rizal's Lovers: The Influential Women in the Life of the Filipino Polymath

by Eliza Tapiceria            

     Jose Rizal, the revered Philippine national hero, was romantically linked with at least nine different women throughout his life. These women seemed to be captivated by his exceptional intelligence, charming demeanor, and sharp wit.

Segunda Katigbak 

         Rizal's first love interest was Segunda Katigbak, a young girl from his hometown. However, this puppy love was short-lived, as Segunda was already engaged to be married to another man, Manuel Luz. 

Leonor Valenzuela 

 Following Segunda, Rizal became enamored with Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from the town of Pagsanjan. He would send her love letters written in invisible ink that could only be read when held up to the warmth of a lamp or candle. Rizal visited Leonor one last time on the eve of his departure for Spain, bidding her a final farewell.

Leonor Rivera

Rizal's longest romantic relationship was with Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years. Leonor played a significant role in keeping Rizal from falling for other women during his travels. However, their relationship faced opposition from Leonor's mother, who disapproved of her daughter's involvement with the known "filibustero" (revolutionary) Rizal. The mother hid all of Rizal's letters to Leonor, leading Leonor to believe that Rizal had forgotten her. Tragically, Leonor eventually consented to marry an Englishman named Henry Kipping, her mother's choice of suitor.

Consuelo Ortiga 

        While in Madrid, Rizal became close with Consuelo Ortiga, one of the daughters of Don Pablo Ortiga. Rizal dedicated a poem to Consuelo, titled "A la Señorita C.O. y R.," which became one of his finest poetic works. The Ortiga family's residence in Madrid was a frequent gathering place for Rizal and his compatriots. It seems Rizal did develop feelings for Consuelo, as she apparently requested romantic verses from him. However, Rizal ultimately backed away from a serious romance, wishing to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera and not jeopardize his friendship with another man, Eduardo de Lete, who was deeply in love with Consuelo.

O Sei San

        Another of Rizal's romantic interests was a Japanese woman named O Sei San, the daughter of a Japanese samurai. O Sei San taught Rizal the art of Japanese painting known as sumi-e, as well as helped him improve his knowledge of the Japanese language. Had Rizal not had a strong patriotic mission in the Philippines, he may have married this "lovely and intelligent woman" and lived a peaceful, happy life with her in Japan, as the Spanish legation there had even offered him a lucrative job.

Gertrude Beckett

While in London annotating Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, Rizal boarded with the Beckett family, who lived within walking distance of the British Museum. The eldest Beckett daughter, Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl, fell in love with Rizal. She assisted him with his painting and sculpture work. However, Rizal suddenly departed London for Paris in order to avoid Gertrude's advances, as she had grown seriously enamored with him. Before leaving, Rizal was able to complete a group carving of the three Beckett sisters, which he gifted to Gertrude as a memento of their brief relationship.

Nellie Boustead

            Another of Rizal's romantic interests was Nellie Boustead, the daughter of the Boustead family with whom he stayed while a guest in the resort city of Biarritz. Rizal would fence with the Boustead sisters at the studio of his friend, the painter Juan Luna. Juan's brother, Antonio Luna, also courted Nellie, but she was deeply infatuated with Rizal. This led to a tense incident at a party in Madrid, where a drunken Antonio Luna made unsavory remarks about Nellie, prompting Rizal to challenge him to a duel, which was ultimately averted when Luna apologized. However, Rizal's relationship with Nellie did not lead to marriage, as she demanded that he convert to Protestantism, and her mother disapproved of him as a son-in-law due to his lack of a lucrative medical practice.

Suzanne Jacoby

In Brussels, Rizal resided in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters, and in time, he and Suzanne Jacoby fell deeply in love with each other. Suzanne was saddened when Rizal departed Brussels for Madrid.

Josephine Bracken

Rizal's final romantic entanglement was with Josephine Bracken, an 18-year-old Irish woman with bold blue eyes and brown hair. Josephine came to Dapitan, where Rizal was exiled, seeking treatment for her adoptive father's eye condition. Rizal was physically attracted to the young, vivacious Josephine, and his loneliness and boredom may have contributed to this new romance. However, Rizal's sisters viewed Josephine with suspicion, fearing she was an agent of the friars and a threat to Rizal's security. Rizal proposed marriage to Josephine, but she was hesitant to make a decision due to her responsibilities to the blind Taufer. After Taufer departed for Hong Kong, Josephine stayed with Rizal's family in Manila. Upon returning to Dapitan, Rizal tried to arrange their marriage with a priest, but the priest demanded Rizal make a retraction as a precondition. Ultimately, Rizal, with Josephine's consent, took her as his wife without the Church's blessing. Their marriage was short-lived, as Josephine later gave birth prematurely to a stillborn child, an event that may have been traumatic for her.

Despite his many romantic entanglements, Rizal remained steadfastly devoted to his nationalist ideals and the cause of Philippine independence.

References:

https://astigngpinoy.blogspot.com/2010/12/about-segunda-katigbak.html

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