You are on page 1of 24

Life and Works

of Rizal

Page 1
Negros Oriental State University Health Advisory for COVID-19
(Coronavirus Disease 2019) Prevention
(2nd Edition: August 2020)
How to Protect Yourself and others

As of August 2020, there are currently No vaccines available to protect us and No proven antiviral drugs
against COVID-19 infection. We may be able to reduce our risk of infection with COVID-19 by the doing the following:

1. Washing our hands anytime as needed with soap and water for atleast 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer 0r 70%
alcohol if soap and water are not available.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Cover the mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing (cough etiquette), then throw the tissue in the
trash and wash the hands.
4. Use facemask while in public areas and must be also be used if sick, with fever, cough, colds, sore throat and other
respiratory symptoms. Use of face shield is recommended as an additional protection.
5. Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using 70% alcohol or 0.5% chlorine solution (DOH: 900ml water mixed
with 100ml bleach or 90ml water mixed with 10ml bleach).
Note: Chlorine solution is not recommended for misting and spraying handwashing or for any skin contact. Wiping on
objects with cloth for disinfection is recommended by the Department of Health (DOH).
6. Maintain social distancing especially in public areas. At least 1 meter (DOH recommendation) apart from each other
(front and back) to comply with the social distancing set-up.
7. Handshaking, touching, hugging, kissing or any form of physical contact are discouraged.
8. Avoid unnecessary travel and postpone mass gatherings to curb the spread of the virus. It is recommended that we
follow the recommendations by the DOH/Local Government with the number of people allowed to gather while follow-
ing social distancing and avoiding overcrowding.
9. Avoid close contact with sick people without proper PPE (personal protective equipment).
10. Seek advice and get proper assessment from City/Municipal Health doctors/Hospitals or any equipped and accept-
ing physician if you have fever, cough, colds, sore throat, difficulty breathing and any respiratory illness.
11. Fourteen (14) Days self-quarantine with coordination to the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF)/City or Municipality
Health or Barangay Health Unit starting from the date of arrival in this province/country for proper guidance and as-
sessment.
12. Seek advice from the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF)/City or Municipality Health or Barangay Health Unit if you
have possible exposure to a probable or confirmed COVID-19 patient.
13. “No Smoking” health advice is encouraged because smokers are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, increas-
es the chance for bilateral viral pneumonia and 25% of them are admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and needs
mechanical ventilation or have died once infected with COVID-19 based on recent studies.
14. Drink enough water and eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
15. Cook food thoroughly.
16. Wash spoon, fork, and other eating utensils properly.
17. Avoid close contact with sick or dead farm/wild animals. Avoiding contact with live animals is also recommended
(e.g. bats, snakes, etc.)
18. Try not to worry too much if you’re not truly at risk.
19. Stop posting or sharing false/fake news as well as inaccurate information that may lead to panic and undue dis-
tress.
20. Praying always for each other, for families, friends, our community, country and for our loved ones to be protected
and delivered from this COVID-19 pestilence. Moreover, interceding for an end to this COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: For Clinic Consultations, please call the University/Campus Clinic first for advises, guidance and triage to deter-
mine who will be referred to Hospital/City/Municipal Health and who will be catered at the clinic for physical consulta-
tion. Contact # Landline: ___________________
Discipline GENERAL EDUCATION Program BSBA/BSCRIM/BSHM/BSA/BSIT
Course Code GE 9 Course Title LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
Credit Units 3 Duration 54 hours (MWF: 3-4 PM & 4– 5 PM)
Program Place- Prerequisite
ment
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME (CILOs)

As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the life and works of the country’s national hero, Jose P. Rizal. Among
the topics covered are Rizal’s biography and his writings, particularly the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of his
essays, and various correspondences.

At the end of the course the students are expected to:


1.) Discuss Jose Rizal’s life within the context of 19 th century Philippines.
2.) Analyze Rizal’s various works, particularly, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
3.) Organize Rizal’s ideas into various themes.
4.) Demonstrate critical reading of primary sources.
5.) Interpret the values that can be derived from studying Rizal’s life and works, and ;
6.) Display an appreciation for education and love of country.

COURSE OUTLINE
Timeframe Topic Timeframe Topic
(Week & Hour) (Week &
Hour)
1 NORSU Preliminaries Rizal’s Writings: Poems, Letters and Novels
2 Introduction to the course: Republic Act 10-11
1425
3 19th Century Philippines as Rizal’s Context 12-13 Annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos delas
Islas Filipinas
4-5 Rizal’s Life: Birth and Childhood and Early 14-15 Noli Me Tangere
Education

6-7 Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life 16-17 El Filibusterismo


Abroad
8-9 Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Execution 18 Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism

Midterm Final
COURSE REQUIREMENT COURSE GRADING SYSTEM
The students’ responsibility is to come to each class prepared. Breakdown of the 100% final grade into at least 4 specific grade-
Students are expected to take all examinations on the date components as agreed by the concern faculty members in the
scheduled. All students are expected to be academically honest. department/ program/ college or school
1. Exercises through written outputs such as quizzes and as- Major Examinations (Mid-Term/ Final)……. 30%
signments. Written Tasks ………………………………. 25%
2. Active participation in group dynamics Performance Task output …………...…… 25%
3. Submission of some written works through email: euntae- Integrity ……………………………………... 20%
hyung29@gmail.com Final Grade = 100%

List of References/Reading Materials:


Saidamin P. Bagolong, Victoria O. Ligan , et. al., (2014). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings. Mutya Publishing
House, Inc.

Page 1
The Jose Rizal family was a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna and considered one of the
largest families in those times. The 13 members of Jose Rizal family consisted of his father Francis-
co Mercado II and his mother Teodora Alonso Realonda. Jose Rizal had nine sisters and one broth-
er. The Jose Rizal family’s paternal ascendant was Domingo Lam-co, a full-blooded Chinese who
lived in Amoy,China and arrived in the Philippines in the closing years of the 17th century. Domingo
Lam-co was married to a Chinese half-breed named Ines de la Rosa. The Mercado-Rizal family had
also Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Negrito blood aside from their Chinese blood.

a) Explain the history of Rizal law and its important provisions


b) Critically assess the effectives of the Rizal Course
c) Analyze the various social, political, economic and cultural changes that occurred in the
nineteenth century

Lesson 1: Rizal’s Life: Birth, Parents and Siblings


Lesson 2: Rizal’s Life: Ancestors and Childhood

Students, in order to benefit thoroughly from this module, please be guided with the following:

1. This module contains two (2) lessons. Each lesson is expounded goodly. Read the explanations
thoroughly so that you could fully understand the lesson.

2. You will find the specific learning outcomes of each lesson in the first page. Specific learning
outcomes are knowledge and skills that you can acquire at the end of the lesson, so read them
thoroughly.

page 2
3. You must answer the Learning Activities/Exercises, Assessments, and Assignments; these
will help you to acquire the specific learning outcomes.

4. If you have questions, reactions, or reflections about the contents or activities in this module,
feel free to call/ text at this contact number 09353186247 or send an email messages to euntae-
hyung29@gmail.com .In addition, you can also message me through our Facebook Messenger
group.

5. The Learning Activity, Practice Task/Assessment and the Assignment shall be checked by
yours truly.

Lesson 1: Rizal’s Life: Birth, Parents and Siblings

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:


1. Recall the birth of our national hero and his family structure
2. Discuss the kind of life that the Rizals had
3. Recognize the beginning of the life of Jose Rizal and his family background

1. Who is Philippines’ National Hero?


2. How do you know about him?
3. Did you know why we are studying his life and works?

page 3
Republic Act 1425
The R.A. 1425 or otherwise known as the Rizal Law which was approved on June 12, 1956, is
an act mandating all public and private institutions including state colleges and universities to include
Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s life, works and writings as a course across programs. Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s life,
works and writings in the curricula envision in achieving the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our hero lived and died for.
Senator Jose P. Laurel– he wrote the law with a
comprised version of House Bill no. 5561
which came out on April 19, 1956 in the House o f
Representatives and Senate Bill no. 428 on April 3,
1956 by then Committee on Education, which were
led by Cong. Jacobo Gonzales and Sen. Claro
Recto or otherwise known as Noli-Fili Bill.
By honoring him, we can best remember with
special fondness the devotion of his life and works
that shaped his national character . His novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo have become a source
of inspiration and patriotism in the minds of the youth
especially during their formative and decisive years in
school. Ultimately, the inclusion of the life, works and
writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal will develop moral charac-
ter, personal discipline , civic conscience and
strengthen the duties of citizenship.
SALIENT FEATURES
 The basic texts to be included in the curricula aside from his life and works are his two great
novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
All academic institutions shall keep an adequate number of both origin and unexpurgated
editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and
biography and;
Translations of Rizal’s writings and other works shall be free of charge and be made available
to all.

page 4
BIRTH
Our national hero was born on a moonlit of Wednesday on June 19, 1861 between eleven
and twelve midnight at the lakeshore town in Calamba, Laguna. He was named Jose Protacio in
honor of Saint Protacio, one who invoked
the discovery of thieves and one of the
patron saints of Milan and Saint Joseph,
the patron saint of the universal church.
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado
Alonso y Realonda was the 7th child of
Don Francisco Mercado and Doña Teodo-
ra Alonso. His family fondly called him as
Pepe. According to writer Felice Prudente
Santa Maria’s book, In Excelsis once ex-
plained why Jose was called “Pepe”, she said, “Saint Joseph was the putative father of Jesus
Christ. In Latin, San Jose’s name is always followed by he letters “P.P.” for pater putativus. In
Spanish, the letter “P” is pronounced “peh” giving rise to the nickname Pepe for Jose.
In his biography entitled “Memoirs of a Student in Manila”’,
Rizal reminisced that his mother almost caused her life because of
his big head. It was believed that because of his mother’s failure to
make a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Antipolo caused the difficulty of
delivering Jose.
Rizal was christened at the church on June 22, 1861 when
he was only three days old. Reverend Father Rufino Collantes
baptized him while Reverend Father Pedro Casanas stood as his
godfather. Rev.Fr. Collantes informed Pepe’s family that they
should take care of him as he prophesized that he will become
somebody because of the unusual size of his head. His prophecy
Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes showed evidences in the following journey of his life.
In his baptismal certificate which was originally written
in Spanish showed that Father Leoncio Lopez, the parish
priest of the town of Calamba, Laguna attested that Jose
Rizal Mercado, read as follows:

Rev. Fr. Pedro Casanas

page 5
“I, the parish priest of the town of Calamba, whose signature appears below, certify
that from the examination made with appropriate authority, for restoring the canonical
books burned on September 28, 1862 and found in Docket No. 1 of Baptisms, p. 49, it
emerges according to the declaration of competent and sworn witnesses that Jose
Rizal Mercado is a legitimate son of Don Francisco Rizal Mercado and Dona Teodora
Realonda where he was baptized in this parish on June 22, 1861 by Rev. Fr. Rufino
Collantes and Rev. Fr. Casanas who stood as his godfather. And I sign this as true
(signed) Leoncio Lopez.”

RIZAL’S PARENTS
Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandra II was
born on May 11, 1818 at Biñan, Laguna, the youngest of the 13
children of Cirila Alejandro and Juan Mercado. He was one of
the fourth generations of a Chinese immigrant in the late 1600s
named Domingo Lamco. During his early education in his
hometown, he studied Latin and afterwards he studied at the
Colegio de San Jose in Manila for philosophy and Latin. These
people of Calamba had a high regard on him as he became
their Cabeza de Barangay (head of the Barangay).
Jose Rizal regarded his father as “ model of fathers”
where accordingly, had given them education. Strong-willed,
educated and independent-minded person where characteris-
tics believed to be inherited by Rizal from his father.
Doña Teodora Morales Alonso Realonda y Quintos
was born in Meisik (Chinatown), Manila on November 9, 1827
and a native of Sta. Cruz, Manila. She was martinet, devoted,
well-mannered and a diligent mother. She studied and mastered
Spanish language at Colegio de Santa Rosa, a school for girls in
Manila. She possessed business ability, a refined culture, literary
giant, and the courage of a frugal woman. Thus, Jose Rizal con-
sidered her remarkable woman. She demonstrated how to keep
families together despite the turmoil of the Spanish regime.

page 6
Jose Rizal in his letter to Blumentritt which read as follows:

“My mother is not a woman of extraordinary culture. She knows literature and
speaks better than I do. She even corrected my poems and gave me wise advice
when I was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read many books.
Her father who was a Philippine representative to the Cortes had been her teacher.

RIZAL’S SIBLINGS
Francisco Mercado married Teodora Alonso where they were blessed with eleven children,
two boys and nine girls:

1. Saturnina (1850-1913) was the eldest among the siblings and was commonly known as
Neneng. She studied at La Concordia College in Santa Ana, Manila. She was married to
Manuel Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Doña Saturnina published Pascual Poblete’s Taga
log translation of the Noli Me Tangere in 1909. She died in 1913 at the age of 63.
2. Paciano (1851-1930) was the elder and the only brother of our national hero. He was commonly
called as Ciano. Before studying at the Colegio de San Jose in Manila, he used to study
Latin under Maestro Justiniano Cruz. Jose called him as “Uto”. As a Katipunero, he was an
ardent and dynamic who later became a general of the Revolutionary Army after the d e a t h
of his younger brother. Many believed that he was the Pilosopong Tasio referred in N o l i

page 7
Me Tangere. In 1900, he was captured by the American forces because of his involve ment as
military commander of the Revolutionary forces in Laguna. Before his death, he lived a modest
life as a farmer. He married Severina Decena, his common-law wife where they had two chil-
dren. He died at the age of 79 because of tuberculosis.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939) was the second daughter and third child of Francisco Mercado and Teodora
Alonso. She was called as Sisa by her siblings. It was believed that she also supported her
brother Jose’s studies abroad and perhaps the only among the siblings that could narrate the
poems of Jose. She was married to a teacher and musician named Antonio Lopez.
4. Olimpia (1855-1887) was called as Ypia. She was married to Silvestro Ubaldo, a telegraph opera-
tor from Manila.
5. Lucia (1857-1919) married Manuel Herbosa of Calamba, Laguna. Her husband died on May ,
1889 during the cholera outbreak and was denied of burial for not going to admit his marriage.
6. Maria (1859-1945) married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna. Her pet name was Biang.
7. Concepcion (1862-1865) was called as Concha. She died at the age of three.
8. Josefa (1865-1945) was an old maid who died at the age of 80. She was called by her family as
Panggoy.
9. Trinidad (1868-1951) like her sister Panggoy, she died as an old maid at the age of 83. She be-
came the keeper of Jose Rizal’s dirge called Mi Ultimo Adios.
10. Soledad (1870-1929) became a teacher. Her pet name was Choleng, who married Pantaleon
Quintero of Calamba, Laguna.
Jose Rizal’s sister had influenced him much especially to his studies abroad. His two older
sisters at times trade in their trinkets and sell their clothes to send allowance for their brother Jose.
When he was younger, he can’t forget the times he was busy playing with his sister Concha.
He even shared stories to his sister Ypia about his beloved Segunda Katigbak. And while he was
exiled in Dapitan, he mentioned to his sister Biang of his desire of marrying Josephine Bracken.
There are times that her sisters informed him about the bad news happening in their place
including the sufferings of the Filipino people from the hands of the Spanish authorities as well as
situations of his parents, the cholera outbreak and the imposition of fines due to land taxes.
When Jose was exiled in Dapitan, his sisters also visited him; in fact, there was a plan of his
sister Trinidad to help him escape from Dapitan. After his death, his sister Narcissa carefully investi-
gated of where he was buried. After two years, they dug up his body at Paco cemetery where they
found his bones and some material remains like his hat and shoes.

page 8
Family
Despite Don Francisco and Doña Teodora’s big family , they were still able to find joy and
happiness. They lived in a harmonious relationship where affections were present among the mem-
bers of the family. Just like any ordinary family, their parents showed love and care to their children.
Nonetheless, they didn't spoil their children. In fact, every time their children made wrong deeds
and involved in any bad activities, they were there to discipline them. They believed in the old ad-
age “spare the rod and spoil the child” . If the children are not decisively disciplined and never pun-
ished when they deserve it then they will end up spoiled or become bad-mannered.
As Catholic believers, they taught
them to be courteous to people especially
the old persons. Their love of God became
their foundation to value and respect one’s
right. They were accustomed to kiss their
parents’ hands after every recital prayers.
But Rizal’s life was not always about
religiosity, they were allowed to play in the
backyard. As Principalia, they were able to
build a stone house near the church and
even bought another one; they owned a
stagecoach, a library and were able to send
them to college in Manila. Indeed, their being prudent gave them a contented life where at times,
they led social and religious activities in their house. They also served as host to all their visitors
during holidays and other gatherings in their community.

Simple Recall: Identify who/what is referred to in the following. Write your answer on the
space provided before the number.

1. The life, works and writings of Rizal is a law proposed and written by whom?
2. This law mandates to include the life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal in the
course across programs in all public and private institutions.
3. Pepe was born on the moonlit of Wednesday on what month, day and year?
4. Pepe was the __________ child of Don Francisco and Dona Teodora.

page 9
5. This writer explained why Jose was called as Pepe.
6. This sibling of Jose published Pascual Poblete’s tagalog version of Noli Me Tangere
7. She was the keeper of Jose Rizal’s dirge called Mi Ultimo Adios.
8. This priest certified that Jose was baptized in the town of Calamba and was a
legitimate son of Mr. and Mrs. Mercado.
9. She was fondly called as Choleng.
10. She was considered by Jose Rizal as a remarkable woman because of her ability
to keep her family together despite of the turmoil of the Spanish regime.

Good job students! You’ve made it this this far. If you have questions, clarifications and addi-
tional information about our lesson, feel free to message me at my facebook account AEE ZA or
email your concerns at aizacabb21@gmail.com.

MULTIPLE CHOICES. Choose and underline the letter of the correct answer.
1. Jose Rizal was born on _________.
A. June 19, 1861 C. June 19, 1862
B. July 19, 1861 D. July, 19, 1862
2. Who is the sister of Jose Rizal who died when she was only three years old?
A. Concepcion C. Maria
B. Lucia D. Narcisa
3. How many children do Teodora Alonso Realonda and Francisco Mercado Rizal have?
A. 9 C. 11
B. 10 D. 12
4. Who is the only brother of Jose Rizal?
A. Domingo C. Mercado
B. Francisco D. Paciano
5. Who baptized Jose Rizal?
A. Father Cardinal Sin C. Father Rufino Baustisa
B. Father Pedro Casanas D. Father Rufino Collantes

page 10
6. Who is the youngest among the children of Teodora Alonso Realonda and Francisco
Mercado Rizal?
A. Concepcion C. Soledad
B. Josefa D. Trinidad
7. Who is the sister of Jose Rizal whose nickname was Biang?
A. Maria C. Saturnina
B. Narcisa D. Trinidad
8. Who is the child of Teodora and Francisco who called Panggoy by the family?
A. Jose C. Lucia
B. Josefa D. Paciano
9. To what kind of family did Rizal belong?
A. Ilustrado C. Filibustero
B. Indio D. Prayle
10. What Filipino culture did the Family exemplify?
A. Bravery C. Hospitality
B. Fatalistic D. Indolent

Answer key to Learning Activities.

10. Dona Teodora Alonso 5. Felice Prudente


9. Soledad+ 4. 7th
8. Fr. Leoncio Lopez 3. June 19, 1861
7. Trinidad 2. Rizal law
6. Saturnina 1. Sen. Jose P. Laurel

page 11
ESSAY. Share your insights to the following questions.
1. What kind of life that the Rizals had?
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
2. Why do we need to study the life and works of Rizal?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________.

Lesson 2: Rizal’s Life: Ancestors and Childhood

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:


1. Present Jose Rizal’s ancestors
2. State the events in the childhood years of Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna
3. Appreciate how Rizal was raised by his family

page 12
Who is Rizal’s great grandfather?
Is Rizal a true blooded Filipino?, or a mixture of different races?

ANCESTORS OF RIZAL
As Principales, Rizal family was a mixture of differ-
ent races. Jose’s father’s side had Chinese descent and a
Japanese lineage from his mother. A recent study re-
vealed that his mother’s origin was from Rajah Lakandula.
In short his ancestry can also be traced from Malayan and
Indonesian genes, truly a splendid blend of blood.

Rizal’s Patrilineal Descent


Domingo Lamco
He was Rizal’s great-great grandfather on his patrilineal side. He is a native Chinese of Si-
onggue, City of Changchow, province of Fukien. He arrived in Manila about 1690 because of scar-
city and political quandary in his hometown. She married a well off Chinese Christian lady named
Ines de la Rosa of Manila. In 1731, he decided to change his surname using “Mercado” which re-
ferred to an English word as market which is fitted for a merchant like him. Their marriage was
blessed with two children, Francisco and Josefa.

Francisco Mercado– he was the great grandfather of Jose and was named after an uncle and a
friar scholar in Manila. He married to Cirila Bernarda Monicha , a Chinese Filipina mestiza of

page 13
Hacienda, San Pedro, Tunasan. He resided in Biñan and eventually elected as Goberna
dorcillo of the town. They were blessed with two children, Juan and Clemente.

Juan Mercado– the grandfather of Jose was also elected as Gobernadorcillo where he was known
by many as Kapitan Juan. He married Cirila Alejandra, the daughter of Siongco, Lamson’s
grandson. They were blessed with 12 children; the youngest was Jose’s father; Francisco
Mercado.

Rizal’s Matrilineal Descent


Eugenio Ursua– Doña Teodora’s great grandfather who has a Japanese blood. He married
Benigna and they were blessed with a daughter named Regina who was married to a
Chinese lawyer from Pangasinan named Manuel de Quintos.

Brigida– one of the daughters of Eugenio Ursua who was married to Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a
deputy for the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes and was also a prominent Spanish-Filipino
mestizo of Biñan. They were gifted with five children:
 Narcisa -Manuel
 Teodora, -Jose
 Gregorio

There were reasons why the descendants of Jose’s parents did not use their last names
Lamco and Mercado. According to Craig, the Lamco family was not used to take the names of their
godparents. He gave his boy a name Sangley which had translated meaning from that of Mercado
are the same. He believed that his surname would be free him from discrimination from those Chi-
nese names because it will remind him of his ancestry.
In Jose’s letter to Blumentritt, he explained him the reasons why Rizal’s last name was used
by him and why others remained to use Mercado because of the strong attachment of his brother
Paciano to Father Burgos who was then believed to be the reason of the Cavite mutiny. His brother
told Jose to use Rizal because it was safer and would not have difficulty in his studies as his brothers
associate him as Mercado. There were so many Mercados in the Philippines who were not related to
them. Jose was the only one using their last name Rizal. This is perhaps why it appeared that Jose is
an illegitimate child.

Rizal’s Childhood
Jose Rizal, just like Filipino boys, had many beautiful memories of childhood. He had a happy
home filled with parental affection, impregnated with family joys, and sanctified by prayers. In the
midst of such peaceful, refined, God-loving family he spent the early years of his childhood.

page 14
Calamba, Laguna (the Hero’s Town)

Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order. It is a picturesque
town nestling on a verdant plain covered with irrigated rice fields and sugar-lands. A few kilometers
to the south looms is the legendary Mount Makiling in somnolent grandeur. Beyond this mountain is
the province of Batangas. East of the town is the Laguna de Bay. In the middle lake towers is the
storied island of Talim and beyond it towards north is the distant Antipolo, famous mountain shrine
of the miraculous Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
In 1876 when he was 15 years old and was a student in the Ateneo de Manila he remem-
bered his beloved town. 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. Because
he was frail, sickly, and undersized child, he was given the most tender care by his parents. His
father built a nipa cottage in the garden for him to play during
daytime. 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 rosary. Recounting this childhood experi-
ence, Rizal wrote: “Thus my heart fed on somber and melan-
choly thoughts so that even still a child, I already wandered
on wings of fantasy in the high regions of the unknown.

Jose owned a pony and used it during his visit to


some beautiful sceneries in his hometown. There was a time,

page 15
he was able to draw a flying bird without elating his pencil from his paper until the picture he drew
was done. He’s also good in drawing a horse chasing a dog. His favorite play was molding animal
using clay and wax.
Another happy memory was his nocturnal
walk together with big black dog Usman (others
called it Berganza). He also used to play with the
doves of his neighbors. He was also good in
magic tricks performing magic lantern exhibition,
disappearing a coin, false cutting a thin rope
untying a handkerchief. One time, he was play-
ing with his friends, his sisters giggled at him but
he did not say anything, instead he silently told
them that someday when he die, people will
make monuments and images of him.

Pilgrimage to Antipolo
On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left for Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, in
order to fulfill his mother’s vow which was not made when Rizal was born. It was the first trip of Jose
across Laguna de Bay and his pilgrimage to Antipolo. He was thrilled, as a typical boy should, by his
first lake voyage. It was his happiest trip. He did not sleep the whole night as the casco sailed to-
wards the Pasig River because he was awed by the magnificence of the watery expanse and the
silence of the night. After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, Jose and his father went to
Manila.
The Hero’s First Sorrow
The Rizal children were bound together by the
ties of love and companionship. Their parents taught
them to love one another, to behave properly in front of
elders, to be truthful and religious, and to help one an-
other. They affectionately called their father Tatay, and
mother Nanay. Jose was jokingly called Ute by his
brother and sisters. The people in Calamba knew him as
Pepe or Pepito. Of his sisters, Jose loved most little
Concha (Concepcion). He was one year older than Con-
cha. He played with her, and from her, he learned the
sweetness of brotherly love. Unfortunately, Concha died
of sickness in 1865 when he was 3 years old. Jose, who
was very fond of her, cried bitterly to lose her.

page 16
Devoted Son of Church
Young Rizal was a religious boy. A scion of a
Catholic clan, born and bred in a wholesome atmos-
phere of Catholicism, and possessed of an inborn
spirit, Rizal grew up a good Catholic. At the age of 3,
he began to took part in the family prayers. When he
was five years old, he was able to read haltingly the
family bible. He loved to go to church to pray, to take
part in novenas, and to join the religious processions.
It is said that he was so seriously devout that he was
laughingly called Manong Jose by the Hermanos and
Hermanas Terceras. One of the men he esteemed
and respected in Calamba during his boyhood was
the scholarly Father Leoncio Lopez, the town priest.
At the age of eight, Jose wrote a poem enti-
tled “To My Fellow Children” (Sa Aking Mga Kaba-
bata). This poem revealed Jose’s dedication to his one’s mother tongue, he resonated that those
who truly love their native language will surely endeavor for freedom just like the birds freely flying
in the space above.
Aside from these beautiful memories, Jose experienced cruelty from the Spanish soldier. He
and his dog witnessed brutality of the civil guards hurting some innocent people in the community.
Jose in his biography said that the violence committed by the civil guards strongly affected him
which he promised to offer his life for his countrymen.

page 17
COMPLETE ME: Complete the Family Tree illustrating the ancestors of Jose Rizal

How’s learning students? We’ll I’m glad that you’ve come this far. If you have any clarifica-
tions or your having difficulties on the instructions or about the contents or activities in this module,
feel free to call/ text at this contact number 09353186247 or send an email messages to euntae-
hyung29@gmail.com .In addition, you can also message me to my personal Facebook account, that
is COX RUSH, or to our Facebook Messenger group.

SENTENCE COMPLETION: Complete the following sentences below. Choose the appropriate word
on the box.
1. Jose Rizal had ___________ sisters and one brother.

page 18
2. The Mercado-Rizal family had also ________, Spanish, Malay and Negrito blood aside
from their Chinese blood.
3. Jose Rizal’s father was the _________of 13 children of Juan and Cirila Mercado.
4. Another happy memory was his nocturnal walk together with big black dog _________.
5. Jose and his father left for Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to _____________.
6. __________________________ was the great grandfather of Jose.
7. Jose experienced cruelty from the ______________ soldier
8. Jose was the only one using their last name ____________.
9. ________________________ was Rizal’s great-great grandfather on his patrilineal side
10. Jose was jokingly called __________ by his brother and sisters.

Teodora eldest Antipolo Rizal


youngest Usman Biñan Domingo Lamco
Japanese Francisco Mercado Spanish Ute
Malayan Nine one Mecca

Answer key to Learning Activities.

page 19
ESSAY. Share your insights to the following questions.
1. How do you feel about the childhood years of Rizal? Provide explanations.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ .
2. How did Rizal’s family influence him as a son, a brother and a citizen of our nation?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ .

Saidamin P. Bagolong, Victoria O. Ligan , et. al., (2014). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings.
Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Page 20
DATE ACTIVITY MATERIALS/
RESOURCES
Course Orientation Course Prelimi-
14 – 20 Discussion of Course Preliminary nary Module
Building the Class Director
September 21 – 27 Release and Pick-up of Module 1 Course Module
(CM) 1 (2 topics)
28 – Oct Modular Work 1 (2 weeks) CM 1
9
12 - 16 Submission of Accomplished Module 1 CM 1
October
Release/Pick-up of Module 2 CM 2 (2 topics)
19 – 23 Checking of Module 1 outputs
26 – Nov Modular Work 2 (2 weeks) CM 2
6
9 – 13 Submission of Accomplished Module 2 CM 2

November Release and Pick-up of Module 3 CM 3 (2 topics)


16 – 20 Checking of Module 2 outputs

23 – Dec Modular Work 3 (2 weeks) CM 3


4
9 -14 Midterms
Submission of Accomplished Module 3 CM 3
December 14 – 18
Release and Pick-up of Module 4 CM 4 (2 topics)
21 – Jan CHRISTMAS BREAK
9
Checking of Module 3 outputs
January 4 – 15 Modular Work 4 (2 weeks) CM 4
18 – 22 Submission of Accomplished Module 4 CM 4

25 – 29 Checking of Module 4 outputs


February 1–6 Final Examination
19 Deadline Submission of Grades

You might also like