LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

I-RIZAL: A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ▪ The Rizal family raised rice, corn, sugar, and other
agricultural crops on the large tracks of land rented
RIZAL’S BIRTH
from Dominicans. They also raised chicken and
▪ Born on Wednesday, June 19, 1861, between 11:00 or turkeys.
12:00 at or, a few days before the full moon at ▪ The mother managed a general merchandise store.
Calamba, Laguna.
THE OTHER CHILDREN OF RIZAL FAMILY
▪ His birth would have cost the life of his mother. She
vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo/pilgrimage.
▪ He was baptized at the Catholic Church of Calamba by
Rev. Fr. Rufino Collantes who also stood as his
godfather.
▪ The name “Jose” is chosen in honor of St. Joseph (San
Jose), husband of St. Mary.
CALAMBA: “THE CRADLE OF A GENIUS”
▪ Hemmed in a verdant plain by Mt. Makiling (enchanted
and charming volcano) and Laguna de Bay (largest lake
in the country).
▪ Calamba is town named after a big native jar (banga)
surrounded by a big hacienda owned by the Dominican
Order.
PARENTS
▪ Father: Francisco Mercado (Rizal) (1818-1898) Francisco and Teodora were blessed with 11 children: 9 girls
o Born in Binan, Laguna, His great, great and 2 boys:
grandfather was a Christian Chinese,
Domingo Lamco. ▪ Brother: Paciano (1851-1930) and agriculturist.
o He (father) studies Latin and Philosophy at Several people opined that he is “Filisopo Tasio” in Noli
the College of San Jose, Manila. Me Tangere”.
o He was a hardworking and progressive ▪ After Rizal’s execution he joint the Aguinaldo’s
farmer. revolutionary army and rose to the rank of Major
o Don Francisco chose “Rizal” because General.
“Mercado” sounded very common. He ▪ He returned to Los Banos after the restoration peace
married Teodora Alonzo Realonda on June as farmer. 1930 he died.
28, 1848. RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
▪ Mother: Teodora Alonzo (1826-1911)
▪ Rizal’s father was a great grandson of Lamco, a
o Born in Manila on November 8, 1826, a
Chinese immigrant from Fukien City.
woman of remarkable talents in Mathematics,
▪ His maternal ancestor was Eugenio Ursua, of Japanese
o Business, and Literature.
blood ancestry.
o She belonged to a distinguished family, her
▪ Rizal – ricial – “green field”
father having once a delegate to the Spanish
Cortes (Congress), while his brother was KEY POINTS
educated in Europe and spoke different
1. From whose saint did the parents of Rizal take his
languages.
name? – St. Joseph the Carpenter
o She was imprisoned for flimsy reasons.
2. Who is the patron saint of the Antipolo Cathedral? –
▪ According to Rafael Palma:
Nuestra Senora de Buen Viaje
o Rizal inherited from his father: profound
3. Rizal was christened as? – Roman Catholic
sense of dignity and self-respect,
seriousness, and self-possession.
o From his mother: temperament of the poet
and dreamer and bravery for sacrifice.