Jose Angelo

In December 1890, tragedy struck the heart. Leonor Rivera, the love of his life, informed him of her marriage to a British engineer. Eleven years of love shattered in one letter. His friend Ferdinand Blumentritt consoled him, reminding Rizal that his true beloved was the Philippines—a noble cause more enduring than any romance. As 1890 drew to a close, a rivalry brewed between Rizal and del Pilar for leadership. To preserve unity, a vote was held. Though Rizal won, he gracefully declined the title of Responsable. He would not lead a divided people. In early February 1891, Rizal left Madrid, never to return. He looked back—remembering the joys of 1882, now replaced with sorrow, betrayal, and disappointment. Yet, Rizal never gave up. His stay in Madrid was marked not only by misfortune but by his unwavering dedication to justice, truth, and his fellow Filipinos.