ESSAY

Impact of Childhood, Family of Rizal to His Success as a Person and as a Hero

Angela Louise C. Sinlao

2MT-L

August 21, 2020

ESSAY: Impact of Childhood, Family of Rizal to His Success as a Person and as a Hero

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to Francisco
Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine
sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future novelist had already learned the
English alphabet. And, by the age of five, Jose could already read and write. Jose Rizal always
considered education as something that would cure the problems of the colonial Philippines. In
my opinion, his value for education stems from when his family instilled in him the importance
of education in his early years, even to the point that he went to study abroad.

Jose Rizal came from a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna, considered one of the largest
families in those times, the 13-member-family consisted of his father Francisco Mercado, his
mother Teodora Alonzo, himself, nine sisters and one brother. Proving that his relationship with
his family is strong, Jose continued to communicate with his parents and siblings through letters
even as he went abroad. Based on the collection of all Rizal’s letters to his family, he told them
about his experiences studying and staying abroad, as well as his observations, and news about
people, and advices for his family. As expounded in today’s lesson, each and every member of
the Rizal family had a significant role in Jose Rizal’s life and death as some of his siblings
continued to fight for his cause through joining the Katipunan.

The love for the family, being courageous, and having will power are some of the
numerous virtues the whole Rizal family instilled in the young Jose. Such virtues were
exemplified as he studied vigorously, stood up to his bullies, and through his beautiful
relationship with his family. Truly, his childhood and family had a great impact to Jose Rizal’s
success as a person and a hero.
 REFERENCES

Blackwidow. (2019, February 03). Jose Rizal Family. Retrieved August 21, 2020, from
https://www.joserizal.com/jose-rizal-family/

Habitan, J. (2013, October 29). Rizal and His Relationship with His Family. Retrieved August
21, 2020, from https://thinkinglikeabubblehead.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/rizal-and-his-
relationship-with-his-family/

Valdeavilla, R. (2018, May 29). The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of The
Philippines. Retrieved August 21, 2020, from
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-life-and-legacy-of-jose-rizal-the-
philippines-national-hero/