After considering the diplomatic exchange of the British and Spanish government in Manila, Father Hermogenes E. Bacareza described in his book now a cultural link between individual Filipinos ad Germans.
One of the very first Filipinos who admired the Germans in the Philippines and abroad was Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. More than anybody else, it was he who, "initiated the cultural relations between Germany and the Philippines and the German-speaking scholars" - as Dr. Celio Lopez wrote in "Rizal and the beginning of German-Philippine cultural relations: The Joint Enterprise, Manila Enterprise Publishing.
Lopez, a Professor Emeritus of Linguistic and Oriental Studies at the University of the Philippines wrote:
"With his inquisitive nature and thirst for knowledge, particularly in what concerned his country, Dr. Rizal sought out these scholars, exchanged ideas with them, and nurtured friendship to the end."
One of the German scholars and scientists whom Rizal befriended was Dr. Alexander Schadenberg, who became his personal friend. Schadenberg took great interest in Rizal and even made his the recipient of all his writings. Another scientist friend was Dr. Adolf Meyer, the director of the Royal Ethnographical Museum in Dresden. It was with Meyer and Blumentritt that Rizal discussed.
Why Rizal chose to study in Heidelberg instead of Berlin. Hamburg or Munich seemed to find no definite answer. Maybe it was really the beauty of the place that attracted the Spanish poet Rizal.
(To be continued!)
