30 December 1891

Remedios Terrace, Hong Kong

The aged mother of Rizal is in Hong Kong fleeing from Spanish tyranny – Taken to Sta. Cruz through mountains because she did not sign her name Realonda de Rizal but only Teodora Alonso – Rizal censured the savage hidalgo[1] who made her walk through such a rough trail – La Solidaridad is no longer our battlefield – A cunning Augustinian tried to assault Rizal and he came out abashed.

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7 Remedios Terrace, Hong Kong

30 December 1891

Jose Rizal

My Brother,

On time I received your letter of the 15 November as well as another letter for my brother, who is presently here with my parents and sisters. My aged, blind mother is also here to escape the tyranny. From Manila they sent her to Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province, through the mountains, from town to town, because she did not call herself Realonda de Rizal but simply Teodora Alonso! She has been always and always called Teodora Alonso! Imagine an old woman of 64 traveling through mountains and highways with her daughter under the custody of the civil guard! She asked to be allowed to travel by boat, offering to pay for all expenses, including the fare of the soldiers, but the “noble Spanish gentleman” did not permit her! When I learned of this “gallantry and nobility,” I wrote to the “noble man,” telling him that his behavior towards women and girls is very unworthy; the savages and the Chinese behave more nobly and humanely. When my mother and sister, after four days of traveling, arrived at Sta. Cruz, the governor, deeply touched, released them.

Now they are here and they thank God that they are in a free country! Life in the Philippines has become impossible without morals, without virtue, without justice!

For this reason, I believe that La Solidaridad is no longer our battlefield; now it is a new struggle. I should like to please you, but I believe all is in vain; the fight is no longer in Madrid. All time is wasted.

An Augustinian came to call on me at home. He found me, and as I am not a blind enemy of the friars, I received him well and courteously; besides I was at home. He remained for almost two hours, we discussed, and finally, before leaving, smiling and jesting, he tried to pull my ears. I too pulled his and said to him: “You deserve it too!” and I shook him. He laughed and added: “When it comes to strength, you are superior to me.” And I answered him: “You did not know that.” He made a move to attack me and I stopped him and twisted his arm. That Augustinian was a coarse and cunning fellow.

My brother is now very busy looking for a suitable house for us; for that reason perhaps he does not write you.

Greet for me the whole family.

Rizal

03-685 [Reformists]