LARON, LORIEN JOY B.

LWR 24
The Life and Works of Rizal

The Childhood of Jose Rizal

The childhood of Jose Rizal can be characterized by his desire to learn, even
frequenting the church nearby his home to watch and observe people but not to
be religiously inclined.
Jose Rizal was not a physically blessed or strong. However, he had a strong will
guided and taught by his mother, his first teacher. He learned almost without the
use of books. His mother was the one who laid the foundation of his great
knowledge achieved in such a short time. His brilliance was also the character of
the young Jose Rizal.
Jose Rizal learned his letters at the age of three, after insisting that he be taught to
read and share the lessons learned by his elder sister. Rizal even tried to spell out
the words of his sister’s story book with the use of a syllabary in such a way that
one does when using a dictionary in a foreign language. He also spent much of this
time in a church nearby his house just watching or observing the people coming in
and out.
Three uncles who were brothers of his mother also had much influence on the early
childhood of Jose Rizal. The youngest uncle named Jose, took care of teaching
regular lessons to Rizal. His huge uncle Manuel developed his physique until he had
a body of silk and steel and no longer a skinny and sickly boy. The last uncle,
Gregorio instilled in the mind of Rizal that it was not easy to obtain something until
you put effort into it.
There was an also a time when Rizal was able to draw a bird flying nearby without
lifting the pencil, he was using from the paper till the picture he drew was finished.
He can also draw a running horse and a chasing dog. Clay and wax were the favorite
play materials of Rizal. He used these materials in forming modeled birds and
butterflies. This animal molding activity also started his study of nature.
Jose Rizal also owned a pony and used it to have long rides into the surrounding
country which was rich in scenery. He also took long walks together with his big
black dog named Usman. He also loved to play with the doves in his neighborhood.
He learned about the myths and legends in Laguna after sleeping through the nut
in a little straw hut used by Laguna farmers during the harvest season. Rizal was
also good in hand tricks which he perfected to amaze the simple folk and performed
magic lantern exhibitions.
Even in his childhood, Rizal already knew how to respect the rights of others and
requested his elders to reason with him rather than get mad at him for small
offenses. He became a welcome companion for adults even at his young age since
he respected their moods and was never a hindrance to their activities.

Earliest Childhood Memories

 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family
garden.
 Because he was frail, sickly, and undersized child, he was given the most
tender care by his parents.
 Jose Rizal, just like Filipino boys, had many beautiful memories of childhood.
 He has a happy home, filled with parental affection, impregnated with family
joys, and sanctified with prayers.
 In the midst of such peaceful, refined, God-loving family, he spent the early
years of his childhood.

Reference: https://www.joserizal.com/childhood-jose-rizal/