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

ChristianLouies... (not verified)

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 10:26

For me, Love at first sight is not really love, it is just an attraction. We are just pertaining to the physical appearance.

bryansabanao (not verified)

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 10:39

Jose Rizal love life is so colorful because He love more than 1 girl. He is lovely person and kind so that many girl like him.

Jorge Bassig

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 10:46

Sa inyong palagay kung nagkatuluyan sina Jose Rizal at Segunda Katigbak,maari kayang hindi nabaril si Rizal sa dapitan? Bakit?

Jorge Bassig

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 10:48

Sa inyong palagay kung nagkatuluyan sina Jose Rizal at Segunda Katigbak,maari kayang hindi nabaril si Rizal sa dapitan? Bakit?

Miguel T. Navarro

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 11:35

Para sa akin,nakakapanghinayang na hindi nagkatuluyan sina Jose Rizal at Segunda Katigbak. Ganoon pa man, tama din ang kanilang desisyon dahil si Segunda Katigbak ay nakalaan na para kay Manuel Luz kahit noong di pa magkakilala ang dalawa.

Joey Abunda

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 12:53

Napakasaya na isipin na ganito ang buhay noon ni Rizal,sadyang naging makabuluhan ang pananatili niya sa mundo. Gusto ko pang malaman ang ilan sa mga mahahalagang pangyayari sa buhay niya.

JOSEPH RON MURILLO

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 13:48

Para sa akin napakaganda ng kwento ng unang pagibig ni Rizal, yung tipong sayang lang talaga dahil Itinakda na sa iba si Segunda bago pa sila nagkakilala. Yun nga lang, kung nagkatuluyan nga sila noon, baka hindi siya ang ating itinuturing na pambansang bayani ngayon.

Floyd de Vela

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 14:05

Yes, because at that time Rizal is still very young and he will meet other girls. But then again he will always remember Segunda because she is his first love.

Ranie S. Malana Jr.

Tue, 06/17/2014 - 16:10

kahit alam na ni Rizal na engaged na si Segunda ay nagawa niya parin na laging dalawin ito sa paaralan niya. Dahil si Rizal ay may gusto 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.

Krystal Joy Martin

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 00:35

In my own opinion, maaring magkatuluyan sila kasi base sa nababasa ko pareho silang merong nararamdaman sa isa't isa pero hindi pa lang na express.
Christian Carlo P. Atienza's picture

Christian Carlo...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 01:49

when i read this i was inspired to the first love story of rizal our national hero but fell sad that what happen to our hero that segunda and rizal not perfect to each other

Marwin A. Besmonte

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 03:21

Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny. DR. Jose Rizal has the right love at the wrong time.
Sarrah Joy Yasay's picture

Sarrah Joy Yasay

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 05:23

If He only knows how to express his love deeply for Segunda Katigbak I think Segunda will choose him. Segunda is only waiting for the sign if they were meant to be but then she didn't saw any so she decided to marry the person who is willing to marry her without any doubt and he is Manuel Luz.

John Manuel C. ...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 06:20

Sa tingin ko kung si Segunda ay hindi engage kay Don Manuel Luz, magtatapat si Rizal ng kanyang nararamdaman para sa dalaga, at malaki ang magiging papel ni Segunda sa buhay ng ating bayani. At dahil si Rizal ay isang maginoo at may delicadeza na tao hindi na nya pinili pang maghimasok sa buhay at pag-ibig ni Segunda sapagkat alam niya na ito ay nakatakda na para sa ibang lalaki.

Rachelle Corder...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 06:32

I think it is one of the most regretful part of Rizal's life. He gave up his first love to do what he thinks right.

Rachelle Corder...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 06:32

I think it is one of the most regretful part of Rizal's life. He gave up his first love to do what he thinks right.

MarionJayE.Buenviaje (not verified)

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 06:34

Rizal's first love is what everyone call's "Puppy Love". It wont last long but its wonderful.

Joshua_Dailo (not verified)

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 06:41

isa itong napakagandang aral para sa atin na lahat ng bagay na nangyayari sa ating buhay ay plano ng Diyos, marahil may kailangan ka lang matutunan o kaya'y may dapat kang isakripisyo. Ang istorya na tulad nito ay talaga namang nag papahiwatig satin na may bagay na hindi talaga para sa atin dahil may bagay na dapat mo pang gampanan.

Renz Andrew Men...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 07:03

Segunda has obviously caught Rizal's eyes when they met for the very first time. Rizal knows the boundaries in falling inlove he knew that Segunda is already engaged even though they love each other, so he tried to stop his feelings for Segunda and did what's right.

Raffy Gaucet Ga...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 07:22

Oo, dahil base sa mga galaw ni Segunda na nagpapahiwatig na gusto rin niya si Rizal ngunit nalaman ito ni Rizal na ikakasal na ito kay Manuel Luz. Marahil ay napag-isipisip rin niya na qwala na siyang magagawa para mapasakanya si Segunda.

Alagao Daniel S

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 07:41

Sa aking pong palagay ay si Dr. Jose Rizal po ay nadismaya ng malaman niya na walang po siyang pag-asa kay Segunda simula po niyun ay tinuring na po niyang kaibigan si Segunda. Si Dr. Jose Rizal ay tinuring na kaibigan si Segunda pero kahit ganun tinupad nya ang kanyang pangako dito

Lois Clark Fabunan

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 09:30

Si Rizal ay talagang napakabuting tao dahil hinayaan niyang umalis at magpakasal si Segunda Katigbak kay Manuel Luz.Ang pagpaparaya ay hindi masamang gawain.

Gerpacio Zaira C.

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 10:17

Hinahangaan ko si Rizal sapagkat nagawa niyang magparaya para kay Segunda Katigbak sa kabila ng nararamdaman niya para kay Segunda. Natutunan ko mula dito na dapat pahalagahan natin ang oras at panahon na kasama natin ang taong minamahal natin kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan siya aalis.

Jerome Gaytos

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:03

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na ang ating pambansang bayani ay bigo sa kanyang unang pag ibig.Siguro kung hindi engage si Segunda ay hindi sya bigo.

Reden Pagkaliwagan

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:10

napakagandang malaman ang kwento tungkol sa unang pag ibig ni Gat. Rizal. Ang ganda pala ng kwento pero sa huli hindi rin naging sila.

John Paul T. Ma...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:45

Some people are meant to fall in love with each other. But sometimes they are not meant to be together.

Joshua_Dailo (not verified)

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:48

Isa itong napakagandang aral para sa atin na lahat ng bagay na nangyayari sa ating buhay ay plano ng Diyos, marahil may kailangan ka lang matutunan o kaya'y may dapat kang isakripisyo. Ang istorya na tulad nito ay talaga namang nag papahiwatig satin na may bagay na hindi talaga para sa atin dahil may bagay na dapat mo pang gampanan.

Drisdane Mesana

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:56

Hindi lahat ng babaeng dumadaan sa ating buhay ay masasabi nating siya na ang babaeng para sa atin ,minsan kailangan din nating mabigo pag dating sa pag-ibig kagaya ni Jose Rizal. Ngunit hindi ito sapat na dahilan para hindi na tayo magmahal ulit bagkos ay gawin nating itong inspirasyon upang malampasan natin ang mga susunod na hamon ng pag-ibig sa ating buhay.

Mark B. Balucas

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 11:56

Sa palagay ko naging mabuti na din na hindi nagkatuluyan sina Segunda at Dr. Jose Rizal dahil mga bata pa naman sila noon at dapat pag-aaral muna ang unahin nila. May mga bagay talagang hindi natin makuha-kuha gaano man natin ito kagusto.

Mark Jefferson ...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 12:26

Napaka ganda basahin ng historya na ito dahil pinapakita nito na kahit ang ating magiting na bayani na si Jose Rizal ay nakaranas din ng "puppy love". Ngunit siguro nga lang na si Segunda ay hindi para kay Jose Rizal ngunit siya para kay Manuel Luz.

Jorge Bassig

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 12:37

On a rate of 1-10, how determined how determined is Rizal for fighting his relationship with Segunda Katigbak? Why?

Dela Vega Rhad

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 12:50

Its not bad to fall in love when we are young. But when it is not for us we need to learn how to give up or sacrifice.

Zoleta Blanca

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 13:33

Nakakatuwang isipin na napaka-ginoo ni Rizal. Sapagkat hindi ito nag-take advantage para sulutin o sirain ang naka-aarange marriage ni Segunda sa halip mas pinili nitong hayaan nalang ang dalaga sa nakatakda nitong mapapakasalan.

Jinky Dela Cruz

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 14:04

Pls. comment on this, What noble of Dr. Jose P. Rizal encouraged to have freedom from the spaniards?Why?. Pls. LIKE first this OurHappySchool.com FB page so that your comment would be COUNTED

Dann Eidref Guzman

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 14:23

First love always occupies a special place. That it touches our lives and enriches them forever.

Franz Aldave

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 15:39

Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon makukuha natin ang ating gusto, minsan kailangan din nating magsakripisyo para sa ating minamahal, ang mahalaga natuto tayong tumanggap na sadyang may mga taong aalis at darating sa ating buhay. Hindi man sila nagkatuluyan ni Segunda, marami pa ring naiwan na magandang alaala sa buhay-pagibig ng ating pambansang bayani.

Franz Aldave

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 15:40

Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon makukuha natin ang ating gusto, minsan kailangan din nating magsakripisyo para sa ating minamahal, ang mahalaga natuto tayong tumanggap na sadyang may mga taong aalis at darating sa ating buhay. Hindi man sila nagkatuluyan ni Segunda, marami pa ring naiwan na magandang alaala sa buhay-pagibig ng ating pambansang bayani.

Caintchel F. Motol

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 21:53

Love is not just about finding a good partner. It is also about being a good one.

Cedrick B. Marb...

Wed, 06/18/2014 - 23:53

Ngayon ko lang po nalaman na ang ni Rizal ay masyadong mahiwaga pagdating sa pag ibig. At naniniwala din ako sa kasabihang ang pag ibig ay di minamadali kusang dumadating yan.

Marc Lawrence L...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 00:10

If Jose met Segunda before she was engaged maybe their story would have in other way. Maybe the history would change.

John Paul T. Ma...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 00:24

Some people are meant to fall in love with each other.But sometimes they are not meant to be together.

Ronzel Belleza ...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 00:39

Dr. Jose Rizal is a gentleman because he did not pursue his feelings for Segunda who was engaged with Manuel Luz. He knew that pursuing his feelings for Segunda will only cause a trouble between him, Segunda, and Manuel Luz.

Richard Robledo

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 01:16

For me, a chance existed for Dr. Jose Rizal and Segunda Katigbak to end up happily together but Rizal was just too shy and a man of delicadeza to admit his true feelings to Segunda. I believe that this was due to the lack of love experience for Rizal because this is a love at first sight.

Raymund J. Burca

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 01:27

love is wait until the exact time to us. don't rush it or you will easy to lose it.

Richard M. Fernandez

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 04:09

Hindi naman masisisi si Rizal kung bakit siya ganon ka torpe, siguro naisip din niya na meron ng lalaki na nakalaan kay Segunda kaya dina niya ito pinag pa tuloy ang panliligaw. Kung hindi naman para sa isa't isa ang dalawang tao o hindi nakalaan sayo at wala kanang magagawa para dito mas mabuting mag paraya na lang at tumalikod.

Marianne Pizarro

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 04:12

I learned something new about Rizal. But then, I'm sure that his memories with his first love which is Segunda is surely precious to him.

Paul Kevin S. P...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 04:21

Rizal's first love is hopeless from the beginning.I think his first love is just an infatuation

Mark Javier

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 04:51

Ang istorya ni Segunda ay nagpapakita ng pinagbabawal na pag-ibig na hindi na napagbibigyan ng pagkakataong magtagumpay. Sa totoo lang makukuha na sana ni Rizal si Segunda kung hindi lamang siya nakatali sa iba.

Val Jeffrey S. ...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 05:33

Para kay Segunda Katigbak, hindi siya dapat umaasa sa mga bagay na pinaparamdam sa kanya ni Jose Rizal dahil nakalaan na ang kanyang pag-ibig kay Manuel Luz.Dapat palayain nalang ni Segunda yung nararamdaman niya kay Jose Rizal upang makamit niya ang tunay na pag-ibig.

Tamayosa Philip...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 05:54

Siguro Hindi lang sila para sa isat isa may plano si God para sa kanilang dalawa. Napaka linis pa rin ng puso ni Rizal pinakita pa rin nya ang pagiging tunay na lalaki sa paraang di nya pang-aagaw ka Segunda sa kasintahan nya.

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