17 November 1894

Manila

Acquitted, Luna returns to his homeland – painted in Bilbao pictures ordered by Spanish personages – 18 years since he left the Philippines – Wandering about the world he has become a bit of a philosopher at Manila – Called on Rizal’s family – Vicissitudes and misfortunes – Rizal is enough of a philosopher to understand what destiny is – “…one has to take things as they come.” – His son Andres and brother Antonio.

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12 Alix, Manila

17 November 1894

Juan Luna

Mr. Jose Rizal

Dear Friend,

I take this opportunity to relate to you something about my life. As you already know, after my acquittal,[1] I went immediately to Spain. At Madrid I was very well received by my old friends and I made other friends who were moved by feelings of sympathy towards me on account of my misfortunes. From Madrid I went to Bilbao where I undertook numerous works, some of which were important, for Senator Chavarri, Martinez de las Rivas, and others. There also I left very good friends, among them those you already know, the Benlliure brothers.

I embarked at Barcelona, and it is now five months since I have returned to my homeland, after so many years of absence – 18 years. When I see my mother and my brothers and this scenery and these streets and these houses and this people, believe me that I become a bit of a philosopher and I venture to make comparisons between this life and our life in Europe and those times of the Boulevard Arago, of Madrid, of Toledo, etc….

I have met your while family at Manila including your old father, who is in good faith. Naturally we talked about you and your vicissitudes and misfortunes. I have not worried about your banishment, because I know that you have more than enough philosophy to understand what destiny is and in your banishment you will find the same satisfactions and the same pains as in any populous city. Here you have me who has gone through so many sufferings, who has so many ambitions, of which were fulfilled more than I wished. Well then, I am happy, for time erases the bad and of the good something always remains; but of the bad even its memory displeases us while the good continues to please us, at least like the memory of a charming melody when we used to hum it alone. In short, lad, one has to take things as they come.

Andres is now a little man of 7 years and this country suits him very well. Antonio lives with us also and my mother is our landlady. What a great pity that this happiness would not last longer, for eventually I shall have to go back there, perhaps within a year and a half.

I shall be glad if we meet some day, and as you know I am always ready to serve you in what I can. I shall be grateful to you if you will write me.

Your old comrade and friend,

J. Luna

Regards from Antonio

01-832 [Family]