Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas in 1877 to study Philosophy and Letters, and later Medicine. He faced opposition from his mother but support from his father to pursue higher education. He also took a surveying course at Ateneo de Manila. Rizal experienced discrimination from Spanish professors and faced hostility as a Filipino student. He decided to continue his medical studies abroad in Spain with the approval of his siblings and friends to escape the repressive education system at UST.
14. OTHER LITERARY WORKS 1879: Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma A poem, declaimed by an Atenean, manuel Fernandez on December 8, 1879 in honor of the Ateneo’sPatroness 1880: Junto al Pasig(Beside the Pasig) A zarzuela, staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880 on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo. Rizal wrote it as President of the Academy of Spanish Literature 1880: A Filipinas A sonnet, for the album of the Society of Sculptors Rizal urged all Filipino artist to glorify the Philippines 1881: Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon A poem, an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the Ateneorector
17. CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS - There were frequent student brawls between the Filipinos and the Spaniards - 1880: Rizal founded Companerismo(Comradeship), a secret society of Filipino UST students. The members were called “Companions of Jehu”. He was the chief of the society. His cousin, GalicanoApaciblewas the secretary. - In one of the skirmishes, Rizal was wounded on the head.Hisfriends brought him to Casa Tomasina where Leonor Rivera took care of him.