CHAPTER 1: Advent of A National Hero

DR. JOSE RIZAL Full name: Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda Date of Birth: June 19, 1861,
Wednesday Place of Birth: Calamba Laguna Province, Philippines Time of Birth: between eleven and
midnight (11:00 – 12:00) Parents: Don Francisco Mercado Rizal Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda

(Rizal is the 7 of the eleven children of his parents)

Date of Baptismal: June 22, 1861 Age during Baptismal: 3 days old Presider during Baptismal: Fr. Rufino
Collantes (Batangueño) Godfather: Fr. Pedro Casanas Parish Priest of Calamba: Leoncio Lopez DR. JOSE
RIZAL AS A MANY-SPLENDORED GENIUS -

Physician, Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist Historian Architect Painter Sculptor Educator Linguist
Musician Naturalist Ethnologist Surveyor Engineer Farmer businessma,Economist Geographer
Cartographer Bibliophile Philologist Grammarian Folklorist Philosopher Translator Inventor Magician
Humorist Satirist Polemicist Sportsman Traveler Prophet

Rizal has a big head  According to Father Collantes: “Take good care of this child, for someday he will
become a great man.”  September 28, 1862 – Parish books were burned  Docket No. 1 of Baptisms, p.
49 – Where to be found LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOSE LEMERY - Governor general when Rizal was born -
Former senator of Spain (member of the upper chamber of the Spanish Cortes - February 2, 1861 – July
7, 1862 is his tenure in office - June 19, 1861 (same as Rizal’s birthday) he sent an official dispatch
(message) to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Ultamar in Madrid denouncing (reproved or
criticizing) Sultan Pulalun of Sulu and several powerful Moro datus for fraternizing (associating) with a
British Consul - Achievements: o fostering the cultivation of cotton in the provinces o establishing the
politico-military governments in the Visayas and in Mindanao RIZAL’S PARENTS Francisco Mercado Rizal
(1818-1898) Place of Birth: Biñan, Laguna Date of Birth: May 11, 1818 Date of Death: January 5, 1898,
age 80, Manila Studies: Latin and Philosophy, College of San Jose in Manila Date of Marriage: June 28,
1848

Others: -tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda during his early manhood following his
parent’s death - hardy and independent-minded man - talked less and worked more - strong in body and
valiant in spirit - “a model of fathers” according to Rizal in his writing entitled Memoirs of a Student in
Manila - lost his father at the age of 8 and grew up to manhood under the care of his mother - met
Teodora Alonso Realonda while studying in Manila - he and his wife settled down in Calamba where they
engaged in farming and business and reared a big family Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911) Place of
birth: Manila Date of Birth: November 8, 1826 Date of Death: August 16, 1911, age 85, Manila Studies:
College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city Others: - remarkable woman - refined
culture - literary talent - business ability - fortitude of Spartan women - mathematician - was offered a
life pension by the Philippine government but declined it - a worthy mother of a national hero Summary
on Life and Works of Rizal

THE RIZAL CHILDREN - 11 children (2 boys, 9 girls) 1. Saturnina (1850-1913) – oldest among them; oldest
sis of R Nickname/Petname: Neneng Spouse: Manuel T. Hidalgo from Tanawan, Batangas 2. Paciano
(1851-1930) Date of Death: April 13, 1930, old bachelor, age 79 Mistress: Severina Decena (2 children,
boy & girl) Others: – older brother and confidant of Rizal – part of the Philippine Revolution and a
combat general after Rizal’s execution – gentleman farmer and retired to his farm in Los Baños after the
Revolution 3. Narcisa (1852-1939) Nickname: Sisa Spouse: Antonio Lopez, nephew of Fr. Leoncio Lopez
and also a school teacher of Morong 4. Olimpia (1855-1887) – older sister of Rizal Nickname: Ypia
Spouse: Silvestre Ubaldo, telegraph operator in Manila 5. Lucia (1857-1919) Spouse: Mariano Herbosa of
Calamba, nephew of Fr. Casanas Cause of Death of Herbosa: Cholera (1889), denied of Christian burial
for the reason that he was Rizal’s brother-in-law 6. Maria (1859-1945) Summary on Life and Works of
Rizal

Nickname: Biang Spouse: Daniel Fautisno Cruz of Biñan, Laguna 7. Jose (1861-1896) Nickname: Pepe
Pertinent Facts: - greatest Filipino hero, peerless genius - lived with Josephine Bracken during his exile in
Dapitan On Bracken: - Irish girl from Hong Kong - mother of the son of Rizal but this baby-boy died a few
hours after birth; he was named “Francisco” after Rizal’s father and was buried in Dapitan 8. Concepcion
(1862-1865) Nickname: Concha Cause of Death: Sickness, age 3 Others: Her death was Rizal’s first
sorrow in life 9. Josefa (1865-1945) Nickname: Panggoy Others: Died an old maid, age 80 10. Trinidad
(1868-1951) Nickname: Trining Others: Died an old maid, age 83 11. Soledad (1870-1929) Nickname:
Choleng Spouse: Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba Others: Youngest of the Rizal children Summary on Life
and Works of Rizal

FACTS ON RIZAL CHILDREN - affectionately cordial was the sibling rel. bet. Them - Doña or Señora (if
married) and Señorita (if single) was the term added by Rizal to his sisters when he grew to manhood
e.g. Doña Ypia, Señora Saturnina, Señorita Josefa and Señorita Trinidad for his unmarried sisters -
Paciano was ten years older to Rizal - Paciano was not just a brother to Rizal but also a second brother to
him - Paciano was respected by Rizal throughout his life and greatly valued his sagacious advice -
Paciano was the wise Pilosopo Tasio in Rizal’s first novel, the Noli Me Tangere - Letter to Blumentritt,
June 23,1888, London: Paciano was regarded by Rizal as the “most noble of Filipinos” - Letter to
Blumentritt, October 12, 1888, London: Paciano was described by Rizal as more serious than he is, bigger
and more slim that he is, not so dark, nose that is fine, beautiful and sharp, but is bow-legged RIZAL’S
ANCESTRY - Rizal was a product of the mixture of races like a typical Filipino - east and west blood
flowed in Rizal veins (Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish) - a predominant
Malayan and a magnificent specimen of Asian manhood

Domingo Laméo - Rizal’s great-great grandfather on his father side - full-blooded Chinese - Chinese
immigrant from the Fukien city of Changchow who arrived in Manila about 1690 - became a Christian -
married to Ines de la Rosa - assumed the surname Mercado (the mercado Spanish term means
“market”) during 1731 and is appropriate for him as he is a merchant Ines de la Rosa - well-to-do
Chinese Christian girl of Manila - married to Domingo Laméo Francisco Mercado - son of Ines de la Rosa
and Domingo Mercado - resided in Biñan and is married to Cirila Bernacha - elected gobernadorcillo
(municipal mayor) of the town Cirila Bernacha - a Chinese-Filipino mestiza Juan Mercado - Rizal’s
grandfather - one of the son’s of Francisco Mercado and Cirila Bernacha - married Cirila Alejandro,
having 13 children, the youngest of which is Francisco Mercado who is Rizal’s father - also elected as a
governadorcillo of Biñan like his father - a Capitan

Cirila Alejandro - Chinese-Filipino mestiza - married Juan Mercado - a Capitana Lakandula - the last
native king of Tondo Eugenio Ursua - Rizal’s maternal great-great-grandfather and of Japanese ancestry -
married to Benigna Manuel de Quintos - a Filipino-Chinese lawyer from Pangasinan Lorenzo Alberto
Alonso - a prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Biñan THE SURNAME RIZAL - the real surname of the
Rizal family was Mercado - Mercado as surname was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Laméo - the second
surname Rizal was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provinvial governor) of Laguna who was also a
family friend - in a letter to Blumentritt, Rizal said to him that he is the only Rizal as at home, his family
preferred their old surname and that there are also many Mercados in the Philippines who are not
related to their family

Ambassador Leon Ma. Guerrero - distinguished Rizalist and diplomat - stated that “his choice was
prophetic for Rizal in Spanish means a field where wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again” THE RIZAL
HOME - one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times - two-storey
building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods, and roofed with red tiles - behind
the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden of tropical fruit trees e.g.
atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy Dr. Rafael Palma - one of Rizal’s prestigious
biographers - gave a description of the Rizal’s home (see p.6) A GOOD AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY - the
Rizal family belonged to the principalia, meaning, a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines - one of the
distinguished families in Calamba - from the farms which were rented from the Dominican Order, they
harvested rice, corn, and sugarcane and they raised pigs, chickens, and turkeys in their backyard
(farming and stockraising) -Doña Teodora managed a general goods store and operated a small flour-mill
and a home-made ham press

Evidence of their Affluence: - Rizal’s parents were able to build a large stone house situated near the
town church and to buy another one - they owned a carriage which was a status symbol on the
ilustrados in Spanish Philippines - they owned a private library which is the largest in Calamba and which
also consisted of more than 1000 volumes - they sent their children to the colleges in Manila HOME LIFE
OF THE RIZALS - simple, contented, and happy life - family ties were intimately close - their parents loved
them but never spoiled them - strict parents and trained their children to love God, to behave well, to
be obedient, and to respect people, especially the old folks - if the Rizal siblings got into mischief, they
were given a sound spanking and they believed in the maxim: “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” - they
hear Mass in the town church every day esp. during Sundays and Christian holidays - they prayed
together daily at home (Angelus at sunset and the Rosary before retiring to bed at night - after the
family prayers, all the children kissed the hands of their parents - they were given ample time and
freedom to play (merrily in the azotea or in the garden by themselves) - the older ones were allowed to
play with the children of other families.

CHAPTER 2

Childhood Days in Calamba

“Ah, Tender Childhood, Lovely town, Rich fount of my felicities.”--- Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal, like many Filipino boys, had many beautiful memories of childhood. His was a happy home,
filled with parental affection, impregnated with family joys, and sanctified by prayers. In the midst of suc
peaceful, refined, God-loving family, he spent the early years of his childhood. The beauties of Calamba
impressed him as a growing child and deeply influenced his mind and character. The happiest period of
his life was truly his childhood days in his natal town.

Calamba, “Craddle of a Genius.” The town of Calamba is situated on a verdant plain by the rippling
Laguna de Bay. A few kilometers to the south looms the legendary Mt. Makiling, and beyond this
mountain lies the coffee-producing Batangas. North of the town spreads the Laguna de Bay, “a lake of
poems and songs”, with many sailboats gliding by the somnolent Talim Island and numerous birds flying
in the azure skies. Beyond the lake, to the far distance in the north, is Antipolo, the famous mountain
shrine of the miraculous Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Calamba, with its fertile fields of rice and sugarcane, its evermore green meadows of
innumerable fruit trees and bananas, its singing birds abounding in lake, river, and fields, its starry nights
‘filled with the poetry of sadness,” it’s lovely sunrises over lake and mountains, and its charming
panoramic views, is a fit place to nurture a growing child. So it came to pass that it became the “cradle
of a genius”.

Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul. In 1876, when he was 15 years old and was a
student in Ateneo, he remembered his beloved town. Accordingly he wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi
Pueblo (In Memory of My Town).

Earliest Childhood Memories

The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was three
years old. Because he was a frail, sickly, and undersized child, he was given the tenderest care by his
parents. His father built a little nipa cottage in the garden for him to play in the daytime. A kind old
woman was employed as an AYA (maid) to look after his comfort. At times, he was left alone to muse on
the beauties of nature or to play by himself. In his boyhood memoirs, he narrated how he at the age of
three, watched from his garden cottage the culilan, the maya, the culae, the maria-capra, the martin,
the pipit, and other birds, listening “with wonder and joy” to their twilight songs.

Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus Prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother gathered
all the children at the house to pray the Angelus.

With nostalgic feeling, he also remembered the happy moonlit nights at the azotea after the nightly
rosary. The aya related to the Rizal children (including Jose) many stories about the fairies; tales of
buried treasure and trees blooming with diamonds, and other fabulous stories. The imaginary tales told
by the aya aroused in Rizal an enduring interest in legends and folklore. Sometimes when he did not like
to take his supper, the aya would threaten him that the asuang, the nuno, the tigbalang, or a terrible
bearded and turbaned Bombay would come to take him away if he would not eat his supper.

Another memory of his infancy was the nocturnal walk in town, especially when there was a moon. The
aya took him for a walk in the moonlight by the river, where the trees cast grotesque shadows on the
bank. Recounting this childhood experience, Rizal wrote: “Thus my heart fed on somber and melancholy
thoughts so that even while still a child, I already wandered on wings of fantasy in the high regions of
the unknown.”

First Sorrow

The Rizal children were bound together by ties of love and companionship. They were well-bred, for
their parents taught them to love one another, to behave properly in the presence of elders, to be
truthful and religious, and to help one another. They affectionately called their father Tatay and their
mother Nanay.

Of his sisters, Jose loved most the little Concha(Concepcion). He was one year older than
Concha. He played with her, and from her he learned the sweetness of brotherly love.

Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865 when she was only three years old. Jose, who
was very fond of her, cried bitterly to lose her. “When I was four years old,” he said, “I lost my little
sister Concha, and then for the first time I wept tears of love and grief….” The death of little Concha
bought him his first sorrow.

*Search :Pilgrimage to Antipolo*

*Search:The Story of the Moth*

INFLUENCE ON HERO’S BOYHOOD

Hereditary Influence

Environmental Influence

Aid of Divine Providence

RIZAL’S UNCLES WHO HELP HIM A LOT IN HIS DEVELOPMENT

GREGORIO – Was a lover of books. He instilled into the mind of his precocious nephew*Jose) a
great love for books. He taught him to work hard, to think for himself, and to observe life keenly.

JOSE – Who had been educated at Calcutta, India, was the youngest brother of Doña Teodora.
He encouraged his nephew to paint, sketch, and sculpture.

MANUEL – Was a big, strong, and husky man. He looked after the physical training of his sickly
and weak nephew. He encouraged young Rizal to learn swimming, fencing, wrestling and other sports,
so that in later years of Rizal’s frail body acquired agility, endurance and strength.

CHAPTER 3

Early Education in Calamba and Biñan

Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biñan. It was a typical schooling that a son of an ilustrado
family received during his time, characterized by the four R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion.
Instruction was rigid and strict. Knowledge was forced into the minds of the pupils by means of the
tedious memory method aided by the teacher’s whip. Despite the defects of the Spanish system of
elementary education, Rizal was able to acquire the necessary instruction preparatory for college work
in Manila. It may be said that Rizal, who was born a physical weakling, rose to become an intellectual
giant not because of, but rather in spite of, the outmoded and backward system of instruction obtaining
in the Philippines during the last decades of Spanish regime.
The Hero’s First Teacher

The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was a remarkable woman of good character and fine
culture. On her lap, he learned at the age of three the alphabet and the prayers. "My mother," wrote
Rizal in his student memoirs, "taught me how to read and to say haltingly the humble prayers which I
raised fervently to God."

As tutor, Doña Teodora was patient, conscientious, and understanding. It was she who first discovered
that her son had a talent for poetry. Accordingly, she encouraged him to write poems. To lighten the
monotony of memorizing the ABC’s and to stimulate her son’s imagination, she related many stories.

As Jose grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home. The first was
Maestro Celestino and the second, Maestro Lucas Padua. Later, an old man named Leon Monroy, a
former classmate of Rizal’s father, became the boy’s tutor. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and
instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he did not lived long. He died five months later.

After a Monroy’s death, the hero’s parents decided to send their gifted son to a private school in Biñan.

Jose Goes to Biñan

One Sunday afternoon in June , 1869, Jose, after kissing the hands of his parents and a tearful parting
from his sister, left Calamba for Biñan. He was accompanied by Paciano , who acted as his second father.
The two brothers rode in a carromata, reaching their destination after one and one-half hours’ drive.
They proceeded to their aunt’s house, where Jose was to lodge. It was almost night when they arrived,
and the moon was about to rise.

That same night, Jose, with his cousin named Leandro, went sightseeing in the town. Instead of enjoying
the sights, Jose became depressed because of homesickness. "In the moonlight," he recounted, "I
remembered my home town, my idolized mother, and my solicitous sisters. Ah, how sweet to me was
Calamba, my own town, in spite of the fact that was not as wealthy as Biñan."
First Day in Biñan School

The next morning (Monday) Paciano brought his younger brother to the school of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz.

The school was in the house of the teacher, which was a small nipa hut about 30 meters from the home
of Jose’s aunt.

Paciano knew the teacher quite well because he had been a pupil under him before. He introduced Jose
to the teacher, after which he departed to return to Calamba.

Immediately, Jose was assigned his seat in the class. The teacher asked him:

"Do you know Spanish?"

"A little, sir," replied the Calamba lad.

"Do you know Latin?"

"A little, sir."

The boys in the class, especially Pedro, the teacher’s son laughed at Jose’s answers.

The teacher sharply stopped all noises and begun the lessons of the day.

Jose described his teacher in Biñan as follows: "He was tall, thin, long-necked, with sharp nose and a
body slightly bent forward, and he used to wear a sinamay shirt, woven by the skilled hands of the
women of Batangas. He knew by the heart the grammars by Nebrija and Gainza. Add to this severity that
in my judgement was exaggerated and you have a picture, perhaps vague, that I have made of him, but I
remember only this."
First School BrawlIn the afternoon of his first day in school, when the teacher was having his siesta, Jose
met the bully, Pedro. He was angry at this bully for making fun of him during his conversation with the
teacher in the morning.

Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. The latter readily accepted, thinking that he could easily beat the
Calamba boy who was smaller and younger.

The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, much to the glee of their classmates. Jose, having
learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel, defeated the bigger boy. For this feat, he
became popular among his classmates.

After the class in the afternoon, a classmate named Andres Salandanan challenged him to an arm-
wrestling match. They went to a sidewalk of a house and wrestled with their arms. Jose, having the
weaker arm, lost and nearly cracked his head on the sidewalk.

In succeeding days he had other fights with the boys of Biñan. He was not quarrelsome by nature, but he
never ran away from a fight.

Best Student in School

In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects.

Some of his older classmates were jealous of his intellectual superiority. They wickedly squealed to the
teacher whenever Jose had a fight outside the school, and even told lies to discredit him before the
teacher’s eyes. Consequently the teacher had to punish Jose.

Early Schooling in Biñan

Jose had a very vivid imagination and a very keen sense of observation. At the age of seven he traveled
with his father for the first time to Manila and thence to Antipolo to fulfill the promise of a pilgrimage
made by his mother at the time of his birth. They embarked in a casco, a very ponderous vessel
commonly used in the Philippines. It was the first trip on the lake that Jose could recollect. As darkness
fell he spent the hours by the katig, admiring the grandeur of the water and the stillness of the night,
although he was seized with a superstitious fear when he saw a water snake entwine itself around the
bamboo beams of the katig. With what joy did he see the sun at the daybreak as its luminous rays shone
upon the glistening surface of the wide lake, producing a brilliant effect! With what joy did he talk to his
father, for he had not uttered a word during the night!

When they proceeded to Antipolo, he experienced the sweetest emotions upon seeing the gay banks of
the Pasig and the towns of Cainta and Taytay. In Antipolo he prayed, kneeling before the image of the
Virgin of Peace and Good Voyage, of whom he would later sing in elegant verses. Then he saw Manila,
the great metropolis , with its Chinese sores and European bazaars. And visited his elder sister,
Saturnina, in Santa Ana, who was a boarding student in the Concordia College.

When he was nine years old, his father sent him to Biñan to continue studying Latin, because his first
teacher had died. His brother Paciano took him to Biñan one Sunday, and Jose bade his parents and
sisters good-bye with tears in his eyes. Oh, how it saddened him to leave for the first time and live far
from his home and his family! But he felt ashamed to cry and had to conceal his tears and sentiments.
"O Shame," he explained, "how many beautiful and pathetic scenes the world would witness without
thee!"

They arrived at Biñan in the evening. His brother took him to the house of his aunt where he was to stay,
and left him after introducing him to the teacher. At night, in company with his aunt’s grandson named
Leandro, Jose took a walk around the town in the light of the moon. To him the town looked extensive
and rich but sad and ugly.

His teacher in Biñan was a severe disciplinarian. His name was Justiniano Aquino Cruz. "He was a tall
man, lean and long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent forward. He used to wear a
sinamay shirt woven by the deft hands of Batangas women. He knew by memory the grammars of
Nebrija and Gainza. To this add a severity which, in my judgement I have made of him, which is all I
remember."
The boy Jose distinguished himself in class, and succeeded in surpassing many of his older classmates.
Some of these were so wicked that, even without reason, they accused him before the teacher, for
which, in spite of his progress, he received many whippings and strokes from the ferule. Rare was the
day when he was not stretched on the bench for a whipping or punished with five or six blows on the
open palm. Jose’s reaction to all these punishments was one of intense resentment in order to learn and
thus carry out his father’s will.

Jose spent his leisure hours with Justiniano’s father-in-law, a master painter. From him he took his first
two sons, two nephews, and a grandson. His way life was methodical and well regulated. He heard mass
at four if there was one that early, or studied his lesson at that hour and went to mass afterwards.
Returning home, he might look in the orchard for a mambolo fruit to eat, then he took his breakfast,
consisting generally of a plate of rice and two dried sardines.

After that he would go to class, from which he was dismissed at ten, then home again. He ate with his
aunt and then began at ten, then home again. He ate with his aunt and then began to study. At half past
two he returned to class and left at five. He might play for a short time with some cousins before
returning home. He studied his lessons, drew for a while, and then prayed and if there was a moon, his
friends would invite him to play in the street in company with other boys.

Whenever he remembered his town, he thought with tears in his eyes of his beloved father, his idolized
mother, and his solicitous sisters. Ah, how sweet was his town even though not so opulent as Biñan! He
grew sad and thoughtful.

While he was studying in Biñan, he returned to his hometown now and then. How long the road seemed
to him in going and how short in coming! When from afar he descried the roof of his house, secret joy
filled his breast. How he looked for pretexts to remain longer at home! A day more seemed to him a day
spent in heaven, and how he wept, though silently and secretly, when he saw the calesa that was flower
that him Biñan! Then everything looked sad; a flower that he touched, a stone that attracted his
attention he gathered, fearful that he might not see it again upon his return. It was a sad but delicate
and quite pain that possessed him.
Chapter 4- SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)SummaryBy: Ianne Merh F.
Tuazon, BSN II-1, Group 4 Jose was sent to Manila four months after the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and
with Dona Teodora still in prison. He studied in the Ateneo Municipal,, a college under the supervision of
the Spanish Jesuits. Ateneo Municipal y Bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de
Letran y Formerly the Escuela Pia(Charity School)- for poor boys in Manila established in 1817 y In 1859-
name was changed to Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila. Rizal
Enters the Ateneo: June 10, 1872- Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance
examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at the College of San Juan de Letran, and
passed them. His father was the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he changed his mind
and decided to send Jose at Ateneo instead. Father Magin Ferrando, college registrar of Ateneo
Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: y He was late for registration and; y He was sickly and
undersized for his age (11 years old). Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Father
Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted the surname Rizal at the Ateneo because their family
name Mercado had come under suspicion of the Spanish authorities. Ateneo was located in Intramuros,
within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min walk from the college. The
boarding house was owned by Titay, who owd Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of
the debt. Jesuits System of Education: Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline,
humanities and religious instruction. They heard Mass early in the morning before the beginning of daily
class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers. Students were divided into two groups: 1. Roman
Empire- consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners 2. Carthaginian Empire- composed of the
externos (non-boarders) with blue banners Each of these empires had its rank. Students fought for
positions. With 3 mistakes, opponents position could lose his position. y y y 1st best: emperor 2nd best:
tribune rd 3 best: Decurion y y 4th best: centurion th 5 best: Standard-bearer

Ateneo students uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers and striped cotton coat. The coat was
called rayadillo, and was adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days of the First
Philippine Republic. Rizals First Year in Ateneo (1872-1873). y y Rizals first professor in Ateneo was Fr.
Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he was a newcomer and knows little
Spanish.He was an externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month,
he become emperor of his Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a
prize, a religious prize. Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during noon recesses to improve
his Spanish language paying three pesos for those extra lessons. He placed second at the end of the
year, athough all his grades were still marked Excellent

Summer Vacation (1873) Rizal didnt enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so
Neneng(Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan. But without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz to visit
her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades. After summer, he returned to Manila and now
boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay, who had a widowed daughter and 4
sons, was his landlady. Second Year in Ateneo (1873-74) Rizal lost the class leadership. But he repented
and even studied harder, once more became emperor. He received excellent grades in all subjects and a
gold medal. Prophecy of Mothers Release Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night.
Rizal, interpreting the dream, told her that she would be released from prison in 3 months time. It
became true. Dona Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret
dreams. Teenage Interest in Reading The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte Cristo by
Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in
prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of Chateau dIf, his finding a buried treasure in the
rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him. Rizal alos
read non-fiction. He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantus historical work entitled
Universall History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-
traveler who visited Phil in 1859-60.He was impressed by: 1. Jagors keen observations of the defects of
Spanish colonization 2. His prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Phil and that Anerica would
come to succeed her as colonizer. Third Year in Ateneo (1875-76) June 16, 1875- He became an interno
in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one of his professor, inspired him to study harder and write
poetry. Rizals best professor in Ateneo. Rizal described him as model of uprightness, earnestness, and
love for the advancement of his pupils. He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings. Last
Year in Ateneo (1876-77) Rizal- The most brilliant Atenean of his time, and was truly the pride of the
Jesuits. Graduation with Highest Honors March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma
Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. The night before
graduation, he could not sleep. Early morning on the day of his graduation, he prayed to the Virgin to
commend his life and protect him as he step into the world. Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo y He
was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation, a religious society. He was accepted
because of his academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the college
patroness. y He is also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural
Sciences.

He studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous painter, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He
continued his physical training under hi sports-minded Tio Manuel.

Sculptural Works in Ateneo He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine
hardwood) with his pocket-knife. The Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father Lleonart requested him to
carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended to take the image with him in Spain but
forgot to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it on the door of their dormitory. It plays a significant
part in Rizals last hours at Fort Santiago. Anecdotes on Rizal, the Atenean 1. Felix M. Roxas- He related
an incident of Rizals schooldays in the Ateneo which reveals the heros resignation to pain and
forgiveness. 2. Manuel Xeres Burgos- his anecdote on Rizal illustrates his predilection to helo the
helpless at the risk of his own life. Poems Written in Ateneo Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First
Inspiration)- first written poem of Rizal, which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. He wrote it
when he was 14 years old. In 1875, inspired by Fr. Sanchez, he wrote more poems, as such: 1.
Felicitacion (Felicitation) 2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes ( The Departure: Hymn to
Magellans Fleet) 3. Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish:
Elcano, the Fist to Circumnavigate the World) 4. El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle:
Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo) In 1876, he wrote poems on religion, education memories and war. (e.g. In
Memory of my Town) Rizals Poem on Education Through Education Our Motherland Recieves Light-
education plays in the progree and welfare of a nation The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education- showed that Education without God is not true education. Rizals Religious Poem y y y y Al
Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- written when he was 14 years old, expressing his Catholic faith devotion.
A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)

Dramatic Work in Ateneo Father Sanchez requested him to write a drama based on the prose story of St.
Eustace the Martyr. He finished that request on June 2, 1876 entitled San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace,
the Martyr). First Romance of Rizal y He experienced his first romance with Segunda Katigbak, a pretty
14 year old Batanguena from Lipa. One Sunday Rizal visited his maternal grandmother in Trozo, Manila
with his friend Mariano Katigbak. One of whom was an attractive girl, who mysteriously caused his heart
to palpitate with strange ecstasy was Segunda. His grandmothers guests ureged him to draw Segundas
portrait. From time to time, he reminisced,she looked at me and I blushed Rizal came to know Segunda
more intimately during weekly visits to La Concordia College, where his sister was boarding student.
Olimpia and Segunda was a close friend. Theirs was indeed a love at first sight. But Segunda was already
engaged to be married to Manuel Luz.

Chapter 5 Medical Studies at University of Santo Tomas

Rizal still study in University of Santo Tomas. Vicenta Ybardolaza- who skillfully played the harp at the
Regalado home

Noli Me Tangere

Poems and Zarzuela (December 8,1880)

-Junto al Pasig

-Sonnet entitled A Filipinas (1880)

-Poem entitled Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma (1879)

-Poem entitled Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon

RIZAL’S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN

OTHER LITERARY WORKS

Jose Rizal decided to study abroad for many reasons. The main reason was so he could concentrate in
studying and attain a high standard education.

UNHAPPY AT THE UST

he knew that his mother would oppose him studying abroad (they think that knowledge is dangerous
back time) that is why his departure was kept secret

VICTIMS OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY

Rizal took he vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor). November 25,
1881- At the age of 17 Rizal passed the final examination in the surveying course.

Dominicans- who loves and inspires Rizal to ascend to greater heights of knowledge

Leonor Valenzuela- Rizal’s met her when he was a sophomore student at the University of Santo Tomas.
- she was a charming Manila girl who was living next door to Rizal’s boarding house.  - Romances lasted
one year
Leonor Rivera- The beautiful daughter of his landlord Antonio Rivera. - Rizal’s fell in love with Leonor. -
Sweetheart of Rizal  - Tender romances lasted 11 years (1879-1890)

Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- Poem entitled by Rizal  - The price winning poem 1879 – Liceo
Artistic- Literario (Artistic- Literary Lyceum) of Manila- held the literary contest.

MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

(1877-78)- Rizal finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters. He transferred to the
medical course.

Rizal was a freshman medical student at the University of Santo Tomas when he experience Spanish
brutality.

General Primo de Rivera- Spanish governor general of the Philippines

March 21, 1887- a letter to Blumentritt.

Literary contest to commemorate the 4th centennial of the death of Cervantes.

Don Quixote- Spain’s glorified man-of- letters and famous author

El consejo de los Dioses (the council of the God

April 1877- Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas, taking
the course on Philosophy and Letters.
Rizal enrolled in this course for 2 reasons:

1. His father liked it

2. He was “still uncertain as to what career to pursue”.

Fr. Pablo Ramon- Rector o the Ateneo ,who have been good to him during his student days in that
college, asking for advice on the choice f a career. (1877-78)- Rizal studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy, and History of Philosophy in the University of Santo Tomas during his first- year term. (1878-
79)- Rizal took up the medical course.

FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO (1878) (1877-78)

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY

Rizal had to go the University of Santo Tomas for higher studies. The Bachelor of Arts course. Don
Francisco and Paciano who wanted Jose pursue higher learning in the university