I never get excited about anything, so this is a rather grand occasion! I'm currently deeply entrenched in research for my Literatures In Translation essay on Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere." Rizal turns out to be quite an incredible personage. Besides an understanding of 22 languages (6 of which he was fluent enough to hold correspondence,
Augenbraum), he held a degree in opthalmology and humanities (specifically literature and philosophy,
Austin). In the context of my recent jaunt to Europe, I find his intellectual pursuits and travels of great interest. I am pleased to discover his connection to London! During his stint in London he lived with a a Mr. Beckett and his English family on 37 Chalcot Crescent (Which my edition of Austin's biography of Rizal erroneously writes as Charlecote (totally different place in London)). Access a map to Rizal's London residence
here.
He lived above Regent's Park (A very lovely park with a victorianesque pond complete with rentable row boats) and a walk away from UCL and the British Museum. During his time there he copied Morga's book on the Spanish history of the Philippines (Austin, 288).
Upon my return to London, it is my intention to make a pilgrimage to this obscure road and noteworthy residence of the "guiding saint" of the Philippine revolution (Augenbraum, intro to "Noli" Penguin Classics).
Rizal fought against the lies of the society in which he lived. The Philippines before the 20th century was a bastion of Roman Catholic belief and Spanish oppression. As an enlightened thinker, Rizal became a victim of the oppressive Spanish regime and his murder by those who wished to keep native Filipinos in an intellectual dark age sparked the Philippine revolution.
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