The Rizal Family Scandal

December 15, 2015

Gil R. Miranda

Jose Rizal’s grandmother, Brigida Quintos was “another woman.”  Rizal’s grandfather,
Lorenzo Alberto’s legal wife was Paula Florentino of Vigan who was younger by twelve
years.  Lorenzo was from Biñan, Laguna.  He was an educated mestizo that reached the
pinnacle of political power during his time.  He was a Philippine representative to the
Spanish cortes. The Philippine representation to the Spanish cortes though, under the
Cadiz constitution allowing colonies to be represented in the Spanish Cortez was short
lived. 

 
According to Dr. Jose Rizal, his mother, Teodora Alonzo and Uncle Jose Alberto, came
from the marriage of Joaquina Brigida de Quintos and Lorenzo Alberto.  Some historians
however say that the siblings later claimed legitimacy by stating that Paula Florentino, the
legal wife was their lawful mother. Other accounts say that all the siblings came from the
same mother except Teodora, and this is why Teodora had always been treated like an
outsider.  It is also important to note that of all the Alberto siblings, Teodora is the only one
baptized in Manila.
Another interesting account comes from the Philippine Star columnist Barbara Gonzalez,
herself a Rizal descendant. According to her, Jose (Teodora’s brother) had fathered a child
with his niece, Saturnina Rizal (the eledest of Rizal’s sisters) and that Soledad Rizal (the
youngest) was the fruit of this incestuous affair. This was the reason why Jose’s wife,
Teodora Formoso, developed animosity towards Teodora.  . In order to hide this shameful
act, Saturnina went out on a vacation with her mother Teodora, only to come back later with
a newborn child. Teodora claimed that the child was hers. Soledad was the most beautiful
among the Rizal sisters, having a mestizo father. If this story was indeed true, this may be
the reason behind the conflict between the Alonzos and the Alberto clan.
 
Popular history texts say that Teodora Alonzo was made to walk from Calamba to Sta. Cruz
to face trial. .Historical accounts say that this was done by Spanish officials to harass the
Rizals who were suspected to have secret connections with the insurrectos. Contrary to this
Teodora was charged and convicted for attempted murder and was sent to prison with Jose
Alberto.        
The story is that Jose Alberto found out that Teodora Formoso (his wife) was having an
affair. Back from a trip from abroad he immediately confined his wife in one of the rooms.
Jose then requested Teodora (the sister) to feed her while in the locked room. Teodora
came with daughter Saturnina. Jose Alberto’s wife Teodora did not eat the food.  Instead
she fed it to a dog, which died immediately.  Teodora Alonzo with her half-brother Jose
Alberto was charged for attempting to poison the other Teodora (Jose Albeto’s wife).   
 
Source: “The Alberto of Biñan and the Vigan Wife” by Arnaldo Arnáiz
               Wikipedia, The Public Square
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Jose Alberto Alonzo

The Alonzo Family

Teodora Alonzo