Leonor Rivera
| Leonor Rivera | |
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A full-length portrait of Rivera, c. 1880s
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| Born |
Leonor Rivera y Bauzon April 11, 1867 Camiling, Tarlac, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
| Died | August 28, 1893 (aged 26) Manila, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
Leonor Rivera–Kipping (née Rivera y Bauzon; 11 April 1867 – 28 August 1893) was the childhood sweetheart, and “lover by correspondence” of Philippine national hero José Rizal. Rivera was the “greatest influence” in preventing Rizal from falling in love with other women while Rizal was traveling outside the Philippines. Rivera's romantic relationship with Rizal lasted for eight years. She was immortalized by Rizal as the character María Clara in the Spanish-language novel Noli Me Tangere. Her original hometown is in Camiling, Tarlac.
Rivera, a native of Camiling, Tarlac, was the daughter of Antonio Rivera and Silvestra Bauzon. Her father (whom Rizal calls "Uncle Antonio" in his letters) is a cousin of Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado.Austin Coates, Rizal’s European biographer, described Rivera in Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr as a “pretty woman” whose physical features included having a “high forehead”, “soft and wavy hair”, a face that sported “almond eyes”, “small and pensive mouth”, and “engaging dimples”. Furthermore, Rivera was a talented, mature, and intelligent lady who played the piano and was gifted with a “charming singing voice”. Rivera studied at La Concordia College in Manila.
Rivera’s family resided in Cotabato City from 1890 to 1891, when the railroad line between Manila and Sultan Kudarat was being constructed. Her parents had a clothing merchandise business there. The Riveras first lived on Torres Bugallon Avenue in a property belonging to Don Alejandro Venteres and Doña Rosario Laurel Villamil, a couple closely connected to the family. The family later moved to a house belonging to Don Andres Palaganas, a person related to Don Venteres by affinity. The son of Don Palaganas, Ciriaco (a former Dagupan municipal president), was the husband of Don Venteres’s relative Paula Venteres. The second residence of the Riveras was located at a place presently known as Rivera Street.
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