Rizal at the Dominican University of the Philippines

Rizal at the Dominican University of the PhilippinesRizals completion of the Bachiller en Artes at Ateneo Municipal entitled him for admission to higher studies at a university.Don Francisco decided to send Rizal to UST despite Doa Teodoras disapproval for fear of what might happen to him due to the martyrdom of Gomburza.Enrollment at University of Santo TomasAt the outset, Rizal was not certain of what course to pursue after graduating with honors at Ateneo.Rizal considered going into literature, law or medicine but Paciano discouraged him to pursue law. Uncertain of what to take up, Rizal, sixteen, enrolled the course Philosophy and Letters due to the following reasons:Its what his father wants him to pursueIt can be attributed to his failure to solicit the advice of Father Ramon Pablo, the rector of Ateneo.

Rizal, therefore, found himself taking up courses in Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.During this term Rizal also enrolled surveying course at Ateneo and was conferred the title on November 25, 1881 since he was underage when he passed the final examination in this course.

After his freshman year, Rizal shifted his course from Philosophy and letters to medicine due to the following reasons:He was advised by Father Ramon to pursue the courseHis mothers eyesight is failing; making him feel that he should finish medicine so that he could cure his mothers physical ailment. Academic Performance at USTRizals academic performance at UST was not comparable with how he fared at Ateneo. Close examination of his scholastic records from 1878 to 1882, attests to his mediocre performance thenRizals Scholastic Records at the University of Santo Tomas1877-1878Philosophy and LettersCosmology and MetaphysicsExcellentTheodicyExcellentHistory of PhilosophyExcellent1878-1879First Year - MedicinePhysicsFairChemistryExcellentNatural HistoryFairAnatomy 1GoodDissection 1GoodRizals Scholastic Records at the University of Santo Tomas1879-1880Second Year MedicineAnatomy 2GoodDissection 2GoodPhysiologyGoodPrivate HygieneGoodPublic HygieneGood1880-1881Third Year MedicineGeneral PathologyFairTherapeuticsExcellentSurgeryGoodRizals Scholastic Records at the University of Santo Tomas1881-1882Fourth Year MedicineMedical PathologyVery GoodSurgical PathologyVery GoodObstetricsVery GoodRizal performed poorly at UST because he did not enjoy his schooling here, which can be traced to three factors:Dominican professors were hostile to RizalRacial discrimination against Filipino studentsObsolete and repressive method of Instruction at USTThere were three factors that could really explain his below par cademic performance at USTMedicine, not really Rizals real vocationDissatisfaction with the Dominican system of EducationThe exciting distractions of youth Liberalism and FilipinoStudents at USTTo encourage the production of literary works in Manila, the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila, and organization of art lovers in the city, conducted regular competitions in literary writing. Rizal joined the contests sponsored by this association in 1879 and 1880.

His entries, A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth), and El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods) were adjudged the best entry in the said competition.

Important LiteraryWorks as a UniversityStudentA La Juventud FilipinaRizals entry in the 1879 literary contest conducted by the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila which he wrote when he ws 18 years oldWon the grand prize with Rizal receiving a silver quill for demonstrating his prowes in poetryA poem in Spanish written by a Filipino, recognized by the Spanish authoritiesA La Juventud FilipinaFirst expression of the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos were the fair hope of the motherlandIn the poem, Rizal stressed the role the youth in nation buildingEl Consejo de los DiosesRizals entry in the contest of 1880Allegory in praise of CervantesBest entry in the competitionJunto al PasigA one act play, written by Rizal at the request of the Jesuits and was staged at Ateneo, in connection with the celebration of the Feast Day of Immaculate ConcepcionA FilipinasWritten by Rizal in 1880 to not only to praise the Philippines for its beauty but to encourage Filipino artists to glorify the country through their art works