Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Biography of Jose
Rizal

(Childhood and Intellectual

Development)
 Flow of Discussion
• Personal background of Jose Rizal
– Family background
– Childhood experiences

• Intellectual development
– Experiences as a student
– Achievements
 Things to ponder:
• Was Rizal born a genius?

• What lessons could we learn from his

life and experiences as a young boy?

• Should the youth of today emulate Jose

Rizal? Why? Why not?
 Family Background of Jose Rizal

• Jose Protacio Rizal

Mercado y Alonso
Realonda
• Born in June 19, 1861 in
Calamba, Laguna
• Father: Francisco
Mercado
• Mother: Teodora Alonso
y Quintus
 Family Background of Jose Rizal
• Jose was the
seventh of the
eleven children
and the younger
of two boys.

‘The Family Tree’ Artwork by Benedicto Cabrera (Ben Cab) from Indio Bravo

Lifted from: http://xiaochua.net/2013/06/19/xiao-time-19-june-2013-ang-makulay-at-

makasaysayang-kabataan-ni-jose-rizal/
 Characteristics of young Jose Rizal
Has a frail body Sickly

Big headed Not physically

strong

Quiet
Thinker

Always likes to Skillful in drawing,

speculate
sketches and molding
of clay or wax
 Interests of Jose Rizal

• botany

• zoology

• folklores
• folk myths and
legends.
Lifted from: http://xiaochua.net/2013/06/19/xiao-time-19-june-2013-ang-makulay-at-
makasaysayang-kabataan-ni-jose-rizal/
7/1/2015
Personal Background of Jose Rizal
• Jose liked drawing and
was always creating
things like statues
made from wax and
clay.
Personal Background of Jose Rizal

Lifted from: http://xiaochua.net/2013/06/19/xiao-time-19-june-2013-ang-makulay-at-makasaysayang-kabataan-ni-jose-rizal/

Personal Background of Jose Rizal

https://xiaochua.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/10-walang-josc3a9-rizal-na-national-hero-kung-walang-paciano-rizal.jpg
 Personal Background of Jose Rizal

“Foolish Butterfly”

Lifted from: http://xiaochua.net/2013/06/19/xiao-time-19-june-2013-ang-makulay-at-

makasaysayang-kabataan-ni-jose-rizal/
 Achievements in young age
At age 3 he learned his alphabet from his
mother.

At age 7 he was sent to a private school in

Calamba
Jose was 8 years old when he wrote the
poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata”.

Jose was 9 years old when he was sent

study in Biñan
Jose Rizal as a Student

• He entered Ateneo
Municipal when he was
eleven years old.

• He wrote the award-

winning poetry “Junto Al
Pasig”
 Jose Rizal as a Student
• In a class of 12 students,
he was one of the nine
students who graduated
as ‘sobresaliente’
[excellent].

• In March 14, 1877 he

received his bachelor’s
degree in art with the
highest honors
 Jose Rizal as a Student
• Took up Philosophy and
Letters at University of
Sto. Tomas and

• He earned his Land

surveyor’s and assessor’s
degree

• ophthalmology
Jose Rizal as a Student

• Average academic
performance
 Jose Rizal as a Student

• In 1879, his poem “A La

Juventud Filipina” won
first prize.

• I 1880, his prose

“Consejo de los dioses”
won against Spanish
peninsulars who wrote in
their own language
 Things to ponder:
• Was Rizal born a genius?

• What lessons could we learn form his

life and experiences as a young boy?

• Should the youth of today emulate Jose

Rizal? Why? Why not?
 NEXT TOPIC

Life and Studies

of Jose Rizal in
Europe