Segunda Katigbak: Jose Rizal's First Love

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/05/2013 - 03:03
 Segunda Katigbak: Jose Rizal's First Love
© 2013-present by Jensen DG. Mañebog
 
She was Jose Rizal’s “puppy love” and with her the hero was believed to have had “love at first sight”.
 
Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings: An Online Syllabus and Articles
 
Rizal was 16 years old when one Sunday in 1887 he paid visit to his maternal grandmother in Trozo, Manila and there met, among others, Segunda Katigbak, a two-year-younger-than-him ‘colegiala’.
 
In his ‘Memorias de Un Estudiante de Manila’, Rizal graphically described her as a short lady with “eloquent eyes, rosy cheeks, and smile that reveals very beautiful teeth”. Mariano Katigbak, Segunda’s brother and Rizal’s classmate who was also in the house, probably had no idea that his friend had been experiencing “a love at first sight” being bewitched by his alluring sister.
 
During the 1880s, the Katigbaks of Batangas were known for their successful and very lucrative coffee industry. When Jose met Segunda, she was at the time a boarding student of La Concordia College where Rizal’s sister Olympia was also studying.
 
Jose and Segunda got to know each other more intimately as his visits to his sister Olympia (or rather to his love interest Segunda) in La Concordia surprisingly became more frequent.
 
How could Rizal forget that incident when he was urged by other acquaintances and conformed to make a pencil sketch of Segunda? “From time to time”, he later recorded in his diary, “she looked at me, and I blushed.”
 
When Segunda one day gave him a white artificial rose she had made herself at school, he gave her in exchange that pencil sketch he had drawn of her. (Related: Segunda Katigbak and Jose Rizal)
 
In hindsight, we can submit that Rizal was somewhat clueless and naïve. As in the song “Paper Roses,” the artificial flower was perhaps Segunda’s way of insinuating that their affection was hopeless from the very start.
 
The ‘rumor’ that she had been engaged to be married to a fellow-townsman, Manuel Luz, even before she met Pepe, was all along true. Rizal’s discovery of the real score later was probably his major reason, being a man of delicadeza, why he did not propose to her, more than his being ‘torpe’ or a reluctant lover ... (CONTINUE READING: Segunda Katigbak: Her cheesy last meeting with Jose Rizal)
 
© 2013-present by Jensen DG. Mañebog
Jensen DG. Mañebog, the contributor, is a book author and professorial lecturer in the graduate school of a state university in Metro Manila. His unique e-books on Rizal (available online) comprehensively tackle, among others, the respective life of Rizal’s parents, siblings, co-heroes, and girlfriends. (e-mail: jensenismo@gmail.com)
 
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TAGS: Jose Rizal, Girlfriend, Segunda Katigbak, History, Philippine Studies, Filipino Heroes, Segunda Katigbak: Jose Rizal's First Love; Segunda Katigbak: Jose Rizal's First Love
 
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Comments

Tamayosa Philip...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 06:06

Siguro hindi lang talaga sila para sa isat isa, may plano si God para sa kanila. Pinakita pa rin nya ang pagiging tunay na lalaki hindi nya nagawang agawin si Segunda sa kasintahan nya.

Xeena Requierme

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 06:28

Dr. Jose Rizal lacked confidence at expressing his love for Segunada. If Rizal had enough courage to tell Segunda the three-syllable statement; I love you, maybe Segunda didn't have to go back to Lipa to marry Don Manuel Luz y Metra.

Rosemarie Macasling

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 06:42

His decision was correct that he did not tell about his feelings. Because what if Rizal said and Segunda accept it then he could not stand his love what happens in the situation they would be, if his just feelings he can't tell.
John Paul B.. Manalang's picture

John Paul B.. M...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 08:17

Marahil mas pinahalagahan ni Rizal ang kanyang delikadesa kesa sa kangyang pag-ibig kay Segunda. Pinapangalagahan din niya ang kanyang pangalan, gayun nadin ang kay Segunda.

Denn Michael Bahan

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 10:53

Rizal just made the right decision, as a matter of fact the result of his decision made his life more meaningful. I dont see anything wrong with that.
Joy H. Asuncion's picture

Joy H. Asuncion

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 11:38

Kung nagtapat lang sana si Dr.Rizal kay Segunda,maaring sila ang nag katuluyan dahil sa una palang umibig si Segunda na alam naman niyang mali.Ibig sabihin kayang tanggihan ni Segunda ang kasunduan kay Manuel Luz na magpakasal alang-alang kay Rizal.

jaeson nikkolas... (not verified)

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 12:38

No , because rizal is a kind of man that has a loyalty to his love one.

CarloFernandez

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 12:53

For me, there are some things in life that is so hard to let go not because it is your will instead it is needed.

CarloFernandez

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 04:41

For me, there are some things in life that is so hard to let go not because it is your will instead it is needed. The only thing you need is acceptance.;D

Camille Sinlao

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:38

Sana ipinagtapat na lang ni Rizal ang kanyang nararamdaman para kay Segunda baka sakaling gumawa ng paraan si Segunda o ipaglaban si Rizal.Sobrang ganda at inspirational sana ang kanilang pag-iibigan dahil kung sakaling nagkatuluyan sila gagawin nila ang lahat upang walang humadlang sa kanilang nararamdaman.

Camille Sinlao

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:39

Sana ipinagtapat na lang ni Rizal ang kanyang nararamdaman para kay Segunda baka sakaling gumawa ng paraan si Segunda o ipaglaban si Rizal.Sobrang ganda at inspirational sana ang kanilang pag-iibigan dahil kung sakaling nagkatuluyan sila gagawin nila ang lahat upang walang humadlang sa kanilang nararamdaman.

Christian Bartolaba

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:42

syempre masarap mag karoon ng 1st love. alam naman natin na matalino si RIZAL pero nung nag mahal sya umiral pa rin ang puso para sa isang babae.

Joshua Elaine G...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:44

If only Jose Rizal told Segunda his true feelings for her, maybe Segunda expressed also her feelings to him and there would be a chance for them. But I think Jose Rizal just didn't know what to say that time when he told Segunda, “Well, good-bye”, and he really didn't mean it.

Jonmiel Acielo

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:53

Kailangan natin pagisipan ng mabuti at magingat sa lahat ng ating ginagawang plano upang hindi tayo magsisi sa huli. Tulad nalang ni Rizal na may Delikadesa at hinayaan niya nalang si Segunda Katigbak dahil siya ay ikakasal na kay Don Manuel Luz

Mark Medalla

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 13:57

Dr. Jose Rizal did the right thing to do. Because he knows that Segunda was already engaged.

rickyandrada (not verified)

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 14:57

Rizal was once indeed young, carefree and inlove. Despite of being head over heels to Segunda Katigbak he was able to prove that he is man with dignity at a young age, for as soon as he heard that Segunda is engaged he did the right thing to let go of the girl and give way to the man who respectfully owes Segunda.

Tamayosa Philip...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 15:31

Siguro hindi talaga sila para sa isa't isa may plano si God para sa kanila. Naging tunay na lalaki pa rin si Dr. Rizal kase di nya inagaw si Segunda sa nobyo niya.

Tamayosa Philip...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 15:31

Siguro hindi talaga sila para sa isa't isa may plano si God para sa kanila. Naging tunay na lalaki pa rin si Dr. Rizal kase di nya inagaw si Segunda sa nobyo niya.

Shirley Ann B. Diaz

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 15:51

I think Rizal will still get involve with other girl's. Because they were still young that time, and only few couples stay strong with that age.

Jezreel Villar

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 01:39

Kung sana sinabi ni Rizal yung 3 romantic words na hinihintay ni Katigbak,siguro ipinaglaban sya ni Katigbak.Maaaring di na din itinuloy ni Katigbak ang pagpapakasal kay Luz.:)

Devon James P. ...

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 02:16

For me, Jose Rizal used his mind over heart because he knew that Segunda was already engaged so he had no reasons to court her. But I agree that it's Rizal's first love but unfortunately it didn't succeeded.

Ardy C Nunez

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 02:34

because of being reluctant lover Jose Rizal was not able to tell Segunda that he loves her, instead he chose to be man of delicadeza.

John Paul A. Garcia

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 02:42

Dr. Jose P. Rizal is gentleman, because Segunda is already engaged with Manual Luz so that Dr. Jose Rizal did not say that he love her..

cortez01580 (not verified)

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 02:43

kahangahanga ang ginawa ni rizal.

raymundo_evasco (not verified)

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 02:53

i don't think that Jose Rizal have felt a "puppy love" on Segunda, it's just an infatuation.I think that he felt something just by looking at Segunda's physical appearances.

TomaganJayJustin (not verified)

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 05:30

Kaya siguro hindi tinuloy ni rizal ang pag ibig nya kay katigbak. Kasi alam nyang engage na ito at para di na mag karoon ng gulo kung sakaling tinuloy nya ang pag ibig na nararamdaman nya.

Paul Rino DG. Diala

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 05:38

Sa naging desiyon ni Rizal ay nagparaya siya dahil sa pagmamahal niya kay Segunda. Kung ako si Rizal ay maaaring ganun din ang magiging desisyon ko dahil alam niya na may iba ng pakakasalan si Segunda na si Manuel Luz.

Stephen M. Yanson

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 05:44

Tama lang ang naging desisyon ni Segunda katigbak, dahil maaring magkaroon ng kaguluhan at pag aaway sa pagitan ng kanilang pamilya ni Manuel Luz. Ginawa niya ito kahit sakit ang magiging bunga sa kanyang sarili.

Ronel Batocabe

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 11:15

Tingin ko dahil sa mga pang yayaring ito madaming bagay ang natutunan ni rizal. Katulad nalang ng pag paparaya niyo sa kanyang minamahal.

Jorge Bassig

Sun, 06/22/2014 - 05:23

In my opinion, Rizal's affair with Segunda Katigbak was first of his critical decisions. He stood in the crossroads where he is to choose between his happiness or goals.

Ranie S. Malana Jr.

Sun, 06/22/2014 - 13:11

Kahit alam na ni Rizal na ikakasal na si Segunda ay nagawa niya parin na dalawin palagi ito sa paaralan na pinapasukan ni Segunda,sa kadahilanang may gusto si Rizal kay Segunda. Nirespeto ni Rizal ang pagmamahalan ni Segunda at Manuel Luz kaya hindi niya ito ipinaglaban kahit alam natin na gusto niya talaga si Segunda.

Gerwin Baula

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 14:00

Sana nag confess na lang si jose rizal kay Segunda Katigbak kasi yun na yung pinakahuling step niya bilang isang lalaki. Pag nalaman naman yun ni Segunda ay siya na ang bahalang magdesisyon kung itutuloy niya ang kanyang pagpapakasal kay Don Manuel Luz y Metra.

Ranie S. Malana Jr.

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 18:24

Kahit alam na ni Rizal na ikakasal na si Segunda ay nagawa niya parin na dalawin ito palagi sa paaralan. Dahil ikakasal na si Segunda nagawa niya na isuko ang nararamdaman niya rito, upang wala ng mangyaring gulo.

Ian Jhamil A. R...

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 21:26

They have mutual feelings for each other .. In my opinion Rizal didn't give any signs of love knowing that Segunda Katigbak was already engaged to somebody named Manuel Luz.

Rossana Parambita (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 03:02

Jose Rizal's first love Segunda Katigbak is a very intelligent and attractive woman. No wonder, Rizal fell inlove with her accordingly. Their love on each other is significant because thy showed affection and empathy that not everyone can show.

rabino aquino (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 07:04

si bonifacio ako/

JosiahFulgosino (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 09:54

Segunda Katigbak showed that she feels the same for Rizal, and even though she is engaged to Don Manuel, she might have joined Rizal if he wasn't "torpe." I think all that Segunda needed to hear was "I LOVE YOU."

Jonas Exequiel ... (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 10:14

kahit pa sabihing babaero si Rizal tao lang din siyang nagkakamali

Vilma, Resurrecion (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 10:29

Yes... Because Dr. Jose Rizal is a traveler and a lot of girls he meet to every country he go...

Clarissa Mia Malbas (not verified)

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 12:04

Sa aking pagbabasa nang kanilang istorya ng pag-iibigan. Maari lamang silang magkatuluyan kung hindi engage si Segunda sa iba. Pero sa aking palagay, kung hindi nakatakda kung sino papakasaalan ni Segunda, maari silang magkatuluyan ni Jose Rizal. Magkakaroon sila ng masayang pamilya at mga anak. At sakanilang pag-iibigan marahil ay hindi magiging madali para sakanila ang lahat sapagkat sa mga tungkulin ni Rizal sa bayan.

Christopher Jav... (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 03:25

Kahanga hanga ang ginawa ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Dahil pinairal nya ang pagkadelikadesa at pag respeto.

Edward Jhan Pen... (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 03:31

Pagdating sa pag-ibig kasama rito ang pagpaparaya. Sa ginawa ni Dr. Jose Rizal pinapakita niya rito ang kanyang delikadesa.

ricky (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 04:17

Rizal was once indeed young, carefree and inlove. Despite of being head over heels to Segunda Katigbak he was able to prove that he is a man with dignity at a young age, for as soon as He heard that Segunda is engaged ,Rizal did the right thing to let go of the girl and give way to the man who respectfully owes Segunda.

ricky (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 04:19

Rizal was once indeed young, carefree and inlove. Despite of being head over heels to Segunda Katigbak he was able to prove that he is a man with dignity at a young age, for as soon as He heard that Segunda is engaged ,Rizal did the right thing to let go of the girl and give way to the man who respectfully owes Segunda.

ricky (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 04:21

Rizal was once indeed young, carefree and inlove. Despite of being head over heels to Segunda Katigbak he was able to prove that he is a man with dignity at a young age, for as soon as He heard that Segunda is engaged ,Rizal did the right thing to let go of the girl and give way to the man who respectfully owes Segunda.

Jonas Exequiel ... (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 05:44

Naging torpe rin pala ang ating pambansang bayani

Lapidez Fritz A. (not verified)

Fri, 06/27/2014 - 05:55

I did not expect that Dr. Jose Rizal our hero is a reluctant lover. I saw the humility, understanding and respect of Rizal when Segunda Katigbak decided to get married to Don Manuel Luz y Metra.

Audrey Avena (not verified)

Sun, 06/29/2014 - 13:44

Minsan kahit pa ang matalino ay nagiging mahina pagdating sa pag-ibig, tulad ni Jose Rizal. Hinahangaan ko si Rizal dahil mas pinahalagahan niya ang kanyan delicadeza kaysa sa nararamdaman niya.

Marwin John Imp... (not verified)

Sun, 06/29/2014 - 13:47

Jose Rizal had shown his delicadeza by trying not to be in a relationship with Segunda since she is already engaged. It was an act of a true hero for he was able to sacrifice his feelings for the better good.

Audrey Avena (not verified)

Sun, 06/29/2014 - 14:25

Minsan kahit pa ang matalinong tao ay nagiging mahina sa pag-ibig, tulad ni Jose Rizal. Hinahangaan ko si Rizal dahil mas pinapahalagahan niya ang delikcadeza niya kaysa sa nararamdaman niya para kay Segunda.

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