Leonor Valenzuela, also known as “Orang” was Rizal’s object of affection while he was courting his cousin, Leonor Rivera. She was a tall girl with a regal bearing who was admired by Rizal after his admiration for a short girl Segunda Katigbak.
Leonor was the daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela, who were from Pagsanjan, Laguna.
Relationship with Rizal
Rizal boarded in the house of Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros during his sophomore year on medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. Orang’s family was the Rizals' neighbor back then. Rizal was a regular visitor in Orang’s house especially during social gatherings. He courted Orang and sent her love notes in invisible ink. The ink was made of common table salt and water that can only be deciphered using the warmth of a lamp or candle.
When Rizal left for Europe, he left the two Leonors. It was only his friend Jose M. Cecilio or Chenggoy who told stories about them. This was one of his letters to Rizal about the cold gap between the two Leonors:
…nagpipilit ang munting kasera (Leonor Rivera) na makita si Orang, pero dahil natatakpan ng isang belong puti, hindi naming nakilala nang dumaan ang prusisyon sa tapat ng bahay. Sinabi sa akin ni O(rang) na sabihin ko raw sa munting kasera na hindi siya kumakaribal sa pag-iibigan ninyo. Que gulay, tukayo, anong gulo itong idinudulot natin sa mga dalagang ito!
Orang, unlike Leonor Rivera, didn’t feel so much grief because of Rizal departure. In fact, she still accepted suitors and attended social parties. It was said that Orang married an employee of a trade house but it was never confirmed.
- Reyes, Raquel A.G. Love, Passion and Patriotism: Sexuality and the Philippine Propaganda Movement, 1882-1892. NUS Press, National University of Singapore. 2009
- “Rizal, the Romantic”. The Life and Writings of Jose Rizal.  (Accessed July 27, 2011)
- “Leonor Valenzuela using a pet name “Orang”. Takdang Aralin: Educational Blog.  (Accessed July 27 2011)
- “Leomor Valenzuela”. Jose Rizal Romantiko.  (Accessed July 27 2011)