Jose Rizal and the University of Santo Tomas by Fidel Villarroel, O.P.

"The picture of Rizal at the UST has frequently come out of focus: discriminated against by the University, unfairly treated, recipient of poor grades, dissatisfied with the teaching methods, suffocated by Thomistic philosophy, forced to leave the University to upgrade his medical studies. None of these current opinions, carelessly repeated in textbooks and biographies and easily digested by the students, has foundation in real history. "With organic academic records on hand, this book retraces Rizalís student years step by step, year by year, and finds Rizal a normal and satisfied student, not discriminated against but in favour, as successful a medical student as the best of his classmates. Other interesting insights into the philosophy of life and educational vitality of the University and into Rizalís later criticism of his Alma Mater make the various chapters of the book highly original and illuminating."