MODULE 1 RIZAL LAW (R.A.

1425)

RIZAL LAW: IN ITS MAKING

It has been said that RIZAL BILL was controversial before it became part of the law of the land. In
fact, it was compared to the life of Dr. Jose P. Rizal which was full of controversies.

 On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 also known as Rizal Bill was filed by the Senate
Committee on Education.

 On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel sponsored the bill and began delivering speeches for
the proposed legislation.

 However, the bill became controversial because it was strongly opposed by Catholic Church.

 For this reason, the main author of the bill Senator Claro M. Recto and his allies in the senate
entered into an intense battle arguing for the passage of Rizal Bill.

 On April 23, 1956, the debate on the passage of the Rizal Bill was started.

 The debate of the Rizal Bill was also occurred in the House of Representatives and a House Bill
No. 5561 which was similar version of Senate Bill 438 was filed by Congressman Jacobo Z.
Gonzales.

 On May 2, 1956, the House Committee on Education approved the bill without any amendments
and the debate was commenced on May 9, 1956.

 The main issue of the debates was the constitutionality of the compulsory reading of the books
of Dr. P. Rizal: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibustersimo.

 The call to read the complete versions of the said books was also challenged.

 Accordingly, as the country was soon engaged in the debate, it seemed that an impasse was
reached.

 On May 9, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill and he removed the
compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels and added that Rizal’s other works must also be included in
the subject.

 On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were also adopted in the lower House of
Representatives.

 It has been said that the passage of the Rizal Bill was almost not approved because of
technicality since during that time the House of Representatives was about to adjourn in a few
days and in fact it was not certified by President Ramon Magsaysay as a priority.

 To prevent the need to reprint new copies of the bill which would take time, the allies in the
House of Representatives skillfully avoided insertion of any amendments.

 Fortunately, the Senate and House versions were approved on May 17, 1956.
  On June 12, 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became R.A. No.
1425 or Rizal Law.

 The two major actors in the making of Rizal Law were:

 Senator Claro Mayo Recto – The main author and defender of the Rizal Bill.

 Senator Jose P. Laurel – The Senate Committee on Education Chairman. The one who
sponsored the bill and began delivering speeches for the proposed legislations.

 Other representatives from the house also supported the bill namely Congressmen Jacobo Z.
Gonzalez, Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengzon, Joaquin Roxas, Lancap Lagumbay, Quintin Paredes, and
Senator Domocao Alonto of Mindanao.

THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL WERE:

 Veteranos de la Revolucion

 Alagad ni Rizal

 Freemasons, and

 The Knights of Rizal

On the other hand, the original bill was opposed by Senator Francisco Rodrigo, Senator Mariano J.
Cuenco and Senator Decoroso Rosales.  Senator Rodrigo was a former Catholic Action president while
Senator Cuenco was the brother of an Archbishop. From the lower house, it was also opposed by
Congressmen Ramon Durano, Jose Nuguid, Marciano Lim, Manuel Zosa, Lucas Paredes, Godofredo
Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Congresswomen Carnen Consing and Tecia San Andres Ziga.

Those who opposed the bill were groups such as:

 Catholic Action of the Philippines

 Congregation of the Mission

 Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Teachers Guild

 The first section of the law enunciates that the full name of Rizal Law is “An Act to Include in
the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses on the Life,
Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes.”
 The last two sections involve making Rizal’s writings accessible to the general public requiring
the schools to have a sufficient number of copies in their libraries and mandate the publication of
the works in major Philippine languages.
 In 1994, former President Fidel V. Ramos through Memorandum Order No. 247, directed the
Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher
Education to fully implement the RA 1425 as there had been reports that the law had still not
been totally carried out.
  In 1995, CHED Memorandum No. 3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum
Order No. 247.

 Another law enacted concerning our national hero was Republic Act No. 229. This law prohibits
cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai on the thirtieth day of December of each year and to
create a committee to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal Day in every municipality
and chartered city, and for other purposes.

The Importance of Studying Rizal as a subject course

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos.

3. It provides various essential life lessons.

4. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.

6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives.

MODULE 2 PHILIPPINE SETTING DURING SPANISH ERA

The Spanish government brought changes in the lives of the Filipino people during the 19th
century. Such changes had great impact as regards to economic, political, and educational structures of
the Filipinos. In this module, we will discuss how the Filipinos faced the challenges under the control of
the Spanish government.
THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 19TH CENTURY
 The 19th century was a dynamic and creative age especially in Europe and United States.

 Industrialism, democracy, and nationalism triggered revolutionary changes in science,

technology, economics, and politics.

 Social and economic structures were based on the feudalistic patterns of abuse and exploitation
of the Indios.

 Racial discriminatory practices were oppressive.

 Intellectual declination prevailed.

 Government processes did not respect the needs of the people.

The 19th century was a dynamic and creative age especially in Europe and United States.
 the 19th century began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900.

 so, what happened in the Philippines during 19th century?

  it has been said that the 19th century was a dynamic and creative age for Europe and united
states…. And what do you think is the reason why? Because they belong to the powerful
countries. They are the considered the great colonizers.

 the Philippines was under Spanish rule for over 333 years.

 after the battle of manila bay and the treaty of Paris (1898), the rule of the Philippines was
transferred from Spain to the united states of America.

 august 23, 1896 was the first phase of Philippine revolution.

 January 1898, Philippine republic was declared.

 February 1898, us declared war against Spaniards.

 April 1898, Spain declared war against united states of America.

 Spain and united states of America signed treaty of paris on December 10, 1898 and
established independence of cuba,. Ceded Puerto rico and guam to us. Also allowed
victorious power to purchase the Philippines from spain for 20 million dollars.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE
 Philippine society was basically feudalistic as a result of Spanish landholding system imposed
upon the country with the arrival of the conquistadores (conqueror)

 An elite class exploited the masses, fostered by the master-slave relationship between
Spaniards and the Filipinos.

 The Spaniards exacted all forms of taxes and tributes.

 The Spaniards drafted the natives for manual labor.

 The apex (the highest part) of pyramidal structure was occupied by the Spanish officials, the
peninsulares ( Spaniards born in spain), and the friars.

 The base was occupied by Filipinos known to be Indios.

 Racial discrimination was prevalent (widespread)

POLITICAL SYSTEM
 The Spain governed the Philippines through the Ministro de Ultramar (Ministry of Colonies)
established in Madrid in 1863.

 The above-mentioned body helped the Spanish monarchs manage the affairs of the colonies
and the Philippines through a centralized machinery, exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
and religious powers.

SPANISH OFFICIALS
 The governor general appointed by the Spanish monarch headed the central administration in
Manila and the king’s representative in all state and religious matters.
  The functions of governor general:

 He issued executive orders;

 He issued proclamations;

 He had supervision and disciplinary powers over all government officials;

 A commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Philippines; and

 He had supreme authority in financial matters.

 Alcaldes Mayors (Civil Governors) appointed by Spanish governor- general and administered
the provincial government.

 Alcaldes En Ordinario (Mayor and Vice Mayor) administered the city government called
cabildo or ayuntamiento.

 The gobernadorcillo (little governor) ruled the towns called pueblos.

 Fondly called as captain;

 The chief executive and chief judge of a town; and

 Elected at the beginning of every year by a board composed of members of the town
principalia.

 Cabeza De Barangay was the head of each barangay.

 Whose main responsibility was to maintain peace and order; and

 To collect tribute and taxes in his barrio.

 The smallest unit of government was the barangay or barrio.

 The Guardia Civil and Cuadrilleros performed police duties and helped maintain peace and
order.

 The Alferez (Second Lieutenant), usually a Spaniard, headed the corps of guardia civil in each
town.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
 No systematic government supervision of schools;

 The schools were free to administer their own curricula and prescribe the qualifications of
their teachers;

 Obsolete teaching methods;

 Limited curriculum;

 Very poor classroom facilities;

 Lack of teaching materials;

  Primary education was neglected;

 No academic freedom;

 Religious was the main subject in schools; and

 Friars occupied a dominant position in the Philippine educational system.

Module 3
WHATS IN

 BIRTH OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

 HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT OUR NATIONAL HERO’S NAME

 CALAMBA, LAGUNA: RIZAL’S HOMETOWN

 HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS BORN

 RIZAL’S ANCESTORS

 DR. JOSE RIZAL’S PATERNAL LINEAGE

 FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL: The Father of Dr. Jose Rizal

 MATERNAL ANCESTRY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

 DONA TEODORA ALONSO QUINTOS REALONDA: Mother of Dr. Jose Rizal

 JOSE’S LOVE TO HIS MOTHER

 THE SIBLINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

 THE SOLIDARITY OF RIZAL FAMILY: Giving Dr. Jose Rizal’s Moral & Spiritual Support

BIRTH OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

 DR. JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO y ALONSO REALONDA was born on June 19, 1861,
Wednesday in a small town of Calamba, Laguna.

 He was born between 11 PM & 12 MN a few days before full moon.

 His mother almost died during the delivery because of his big head.

 Dr. Jose Rizal was baptized in the catholic church of Calamba, Laguna on June 22, 1861, three
days after he was born.

 The Calamba church was also known as Saint John Parish Church and it was established in the
year 1859.

 Fr. Rufino Collantes – The one who baptized Dr. Jose Rizal, who was a Batangueno.
  Fr. Pedro Casanas – godfather of Dr. Jose Rizal, a native of Calamba & close friend of the Rizal
family.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT OUR NATIONAL HERO’S NAME

 His first and second names came from the Catholic calendar.

 His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother who was devotee of the Christian saint Joseph.

 The real surname of Rizal family was Mercado.

 Mercado as a surname was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lam-co (the paternal great- great
grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal.

 The surname “Mercado” means “market”.

 The surname Mercado was chosen because many ethnic Chinese were merchants and many
having adopted the same surname.

 Rizal’s family acquired a second surname “Rizal” which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor
(provincial governor) of Laguna.

CALAMBA, LAGUNA: RIZAL’S HOMETOWN

 In the early days, Calamba was just a part of Tabuco, now known as Cabuyao.

 On August 28, 1742, Calamba became pueblo, separating it from Cabuyao.

 Calamba became a component city on April 21, 2001 by virtue of RA Act 9024.

 According to a legend, the word “Calamba” was taken from the phrase “Kalan-banga”.

 Kalan-banga was an earthen jar being carried by a young woman whom a guardia civil
stopped to ask for the name of the place.

 Mistakenly thinking that she was being asked what she was carrying, she answered “Kalan-
banga”.

 Later, Kalambanga was shortened to Calamba.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS BORN

 Calamba is a small town settling at the foot of Mt. Makiling as it slopes down to Laguna de
Bay;

 A prosperous town devoted to the production of sugar;

 Its soil was fertile;

 Its climate was favorable; and

 Its scenic environment influenced the young Rizal for his poetic & artistic creativity.
RIZAL’S ANCESTORS

 Dr. Jose Rizal was a product of the mixture of races.

 In his traces flowed the blood of both EAST and WEST – NEGRITO, INDONESIAN, MALAY,
CHINESE, JAPANESE, and SPANISH.

DR. JOSE RIZAL’S PATERNAL LINEAGE

 Among his earliest identifiable ancestors were SIANG-CO and ZUN- NIO who give birth to a
son named DOMINGO LAM-CO.

 DOMINGO LAM-CO (great – great grandfather) of Dr. Jose Rizal

 Domingo Lam-co was a Chinese merchant and a Chinese immigrant from FUKIEN CITY of
CHANGCHOW.

 He migrated to the Philippines sometimes during the late 1600s (1690).

 In 1697, at the age of 35, he was baptized at the SAN GABRIEL CHURCH in the predominantly
Chines community of Binondo.

 He adopted “Domingo” in his baptismal day as his first name.

 He married a Chinese mestiza named INES DE LA ROSA, who belonged to an entrepreneurial

family.

 Ines was the daughter of Agustin Chin-co and Jacinta Rafaela – a Chinese mestiza resided from
Parian.

 DOMINGO and INES had a son named FRANCISCO MERCADO.

 FRANCISCO MERCADO (Rizal’s paternal great grandfather) of Dr. Jose Rizal and who resided in
Binan.

 FRANCISCO MERCADO was an observant, intelligent, and liberal young man.

 FRANCISCO MERCADO became a well- to –do and active in politics.

 According to Gregorio F. Zaide, an author of the book “Rizal life, works, and writings”, he was
elected as GOVERNADORCILLO of Binan.

 FRANCISCO MERCADO married BERNARDA MONICHA, a Chinese mestiza.

 They were blessed with two children, namely: Juan and Clemente.

 Juan Mercado married Cirila Alejandro and the couple had thirteen children namely: Francisco
Rizal, Petrona, Tomasa , Potenciana, Cornelia, Casimiro, Gregorio, Julian, Gabriel, Barcelisa,
Fausto, Leoncio, Gavino

 
FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL: The Father of Dr. Jose Rizal

 At the age of eight, Franscisco Mercado Rizal (Father of Jose Rizal) lost his father (Juan
Mercado) and grew up to manhood under the care of his mother (Cirila Alejandro).

 He studied Latin and Philosophy in the College of San Jose in Manila.

 A serious and noble man.

 A man of few words.

 A farmer by profession because he was in the field of farming business.

 married to TEODORA ALONSO REOLONDA on June 28, 1848.

 The couple settled down in Calamba, where they engaged in farming and business.

 He was forty-three years old when Rizal was born.

 He was born May 11, 1818 in Binan, Laguna.

 He died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80.

MATERNAL ANCESTRY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

 It was said that Dona Teodora’s family descended from LAKANDULA, the last native king of
Tondo.

 Dr. Jose Rizal’s maternal great- great grandfather was EUGENIO URSUA of Japanese ancestry,
who married a Filipina named BENIGNA (surname unknown).

 The couple (Eugenio & Benigna) are blessed with four children, namely: Benito, Regina, Padre
Alejandro, and Pio.

 Their daughter, Regina, married to Atty. Manuel de Quintos, a Filipino-Chinese lawyer from
Pangasinan.

 The couple (Regina and Atty. Manuel de Quintos) are blessed with four children, namely:
Maria Victoria, Jose Soler, Joaquina, and Brigida de Quintos.

 Their daughter, Brigida de Quintos, married to Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a prominent Spanish –
Filipino mestizo of Binan and a Municipal Captain of Binan.

 The couple (Brigida and Municipal Captain Lorenzo Alberto Alonso are blessed with five
children, namely: Narcisa, Teodora (Jose Rizal’s mother), Gregorio, Manuel, and Jose.

 Take note that the family name of Rizal’s parents did not coincide with his own name as
inscribed in his birth certificate.

 This can be explained as follows:

 The name of Rizal’s mother was Teodora Alonso Quintos.

  According to some notes of Rizal’s brother, Paciano, the birth certificate of Jose bore the name
Realonda because there was a time when many Filipinos had the custom of adding the name
of the godmother or godfather to the child’s name.

 When his mother Teodora was baptized, the name Reolonda (her godmother) was added to
her name.

DOǸA TEODORA ALONSO QUINTOS REALONDA: Mother of Dr. Jose Rizal

 She was born on November 8, 1826 in Santa Cruz, Manila.

 She was a wealthy woman during Spanish era.

 She was known for being disciplinarian and hardworking mother.

 An intelligent mother.

 She knew how to appreciate literature.

 She corrected her son’s verses.

 She had a good knowledge in mathematics.

 She was then the first teacher of Jose Rizal where she taught Rizal the importance of good
manners.

 She studied in College of Santa Rosa.

 She was a devout Catholic.

 Her medical condition inspired Rizal to take medicine.

JOSE’S LOVE TO HIS MOTHER

 One known thing about Rizal is that he loved his mother very much;

 At the end of his first year at the Ateneo, Rizal visited her mother in Santa Cruz prison without
telling his father;

 Dona Teodora joyfully embraced her son who told her of his outstanding school grades;

 The most known poem written by Rizal in Ateneo, “Mi Primera Inspiracion” (My First
Inspiration) was dedicated to his mother on his birthday; and

 It is believed to have written in the year 1874, upon the release from prison of his mother.

THE SIBLINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

SATURNINA (The eldest)

 Born on 1850

 Died on 1913
  Married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

 Nickname: Neneng

PACIANO (Older brother)

 Born on March 7, 1851

 Died on April 12, 1930 at the age of 79.

 An old bachelor

 He had two children from his common law partner, Severina Decena.

 General in the revolutionary army.

 Farmer

 A hero in his own right

NARCISA RIZAL

 Born 1852

 Died 1939

 Nickname: Sisa

 Married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a schoolteacher of Morong.

OLIMPIA RIZAL

 Born: 1855

 Died: 1887

 Nickname: Ypia

 Married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila. 

LUCIA RIZAL

 Born: 1857

 Died: 1919

 Married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nepehew of Father Casanas. Herbosa
died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Chrisitan burial because he was a brother-in-law of Dr.
Jose Rizal.

MARIA RIZAL

 Born: 1859

 Died: 1945
  Nickname: Biang

 Married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna.

CONCEPCION RIZAL

 Born: 1862

 Died: 1865

 Nickname: Concha

 Died of sickness at the age of 3. Her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.

 Rizal was four years old when his sister Concepcion died.

JOSEFA RIZAL

 Born: 1865

 Died: 1945

 Nickname: Panggoy

 Died unmarried at the age of 80.

 She joined the Katipunan with Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Ka Andres.

 Task: To safeguard the secret papers and documents of the society.

TRINIDAD RIZAL

 Born: 1868

 Died: 1951 at the age of 83

 Cause of death: Malaria

 Nickname: Trining

 Unmarried

 Last of the family to die

 Trinidad had once planned Rizal’s escape.

 Right before the execution of Rizal, Trinidad and Dona Teodora visited Rizal in the Fort
Santiago prison cell.

 As they were leaving, Rizal handed over to Trining an alcohol lamp, a gift from Pardo de
Taveras.

 Whispering to her in a language which the guards could not understand, “There something in
it”
  That something was Rizal’s last poem “Mi Ultimo Adios”

 Like Paciano and Josefa, she also joined the Katipunan.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (The youngest)

 Born: 1870

 Died: 1929

 Nickname: Choleng

 Married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.

THE SOLIDARITY OF RIZAL FAMILY: Giving Dr. Jose Rizal’s Moral & Spiritual Support

 The sisters of Rizal did not become prominent in occupying important public positions.

 It would have been in those times unusual for women to do so.

 They were greatly responsible for the solidarity of the family, giving Rizal moral and spiritual
support such as:

 The care and attention with which the sisters of Rizal showered him during his deportation in
Dapitan and his stay in HK are difficult to equal.

 The determination of Narcisa to find the tomb of her brother in the afternoon of his execution
clearly shows the unifying bond of affection held by the Rizal Family.

 As to the family finances, they were not as rich as many biographers have claimed but were
just comfortably well-to-do.

 The couple was ambitious as regards to the education of their children.

MODULE 4: CHILDHOOD OF JOSE RIZAL

Childhood Memories in Calamba

 The life of Dr. Jose Rizal, like other young Filipino boys, had a lot of pleasant and beautiful
memories to reckon during his childhood days in Calamba.

 With parents full of affection to their children and an abundant blessings from Almighty God,
he grew up in a home environment characterized by joy and contentment.

 His birth place was an ideal place for artist, poets, writers, and lovers of art because of scenic
environment and favorable climate.

 This is Calamba, a perfect place to nurture a growing child that holds promise that eventually
became the “cradle of a genius”.

Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)

• Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul.

 • In 1876, when he was 15 years old and was a student in the Ateneo, he remembered his
beloved town, Accordingly, he wrote a poem , “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo ( In Memory of My
Town)

First Sad Memory of Young Jose

 The Rizal’s children were bound together by ties of love and companionship.

 They were well-bred for their parents taught them to love and help one another.

 Of his sisters, Jose loved most the little Concha. He was older a year than Concha.

 He played with her and from her he learned the sweetness of sisterly love.

 Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865 when she was only three years old.

 Jose, who was very fond of her, cried bitterly at losing her.

 Dr. Jose Rizal later wrote in his memoir, “ When I was four years old, , I lost my little sister
Concha, and then for the first time I shed tears caused by love and grief.”

 So, from Concha’s life we could learn that not a few children in those times died young. If
records are correct , more than ten of Rizal’s nieces and nephews also died young, not to
mention that Jose’s child himself experienced the same fate.

Happy Memories of Young Jose

 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 or nipa hut in the garden for him to play in the day.

 A kind of old woman was employed as an aya (nurse maid) to look after his comfort.

 In his boyhood memoirs, he narrated how at the age of three, he watched from his garden
cottage, the culiauan, the maya, the maria capra, the martin, the pipit, and other birds and
listened with wonder and joy to their twilight songs.

 Another childhood memory was the daily angelus prayer.

 Rizal also remembered the happy moonlight nights at the Azotea after the nightly rosary.

 Jose Rizal’s aya told many stories about the fairies and other fabulous stories.

 It is worthy to note that Filipino children are more interested about stories like, alamat or
legends. Sometimes, our parents will narrate with us some terrible horror stories to threaten
us when we are “pasaway” just like the terrible stories narrated by Jose Rizal’s aya when the
latter did not like to take his supper.
  Another memory of his infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was
a moon with his aya.

 “Recounting this childhood experience in his student memoirs, Rizal wrote: “Thus my heart
fed on somber and melancholic thoughts so that even while still a child, I already wandered
on wings of fantasy in the high regions of the unknown.”

Jose: The Devoted Son of the Church

 At the age of three, he began to take part in the family prayers and his mother taught him the
catholic prayers.

 At the age of five, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family Bible.

 He loved to go to church, to pray, to take part of novenas, and to join the religious
processions.

 He was laughingly called as manong Jose by the Hermanos and Hermanas Terceras.

Early Schooling of Young Jose

 At the age of three, he could recognize the martin, the maya, the multi- colored kuliawan, and
the other birds and listened with wonder and joy to their twilight songs.

 At the age of three, he learned the alphabet from his mother.

 At the age of five, he began to make sketches with pencil and to mold clay and wax objects
which attracted his fancy.

 Upon the request of the town mayor, he painted in oil colors a new banner that delighted the
town folks because it was better than the original one.

 At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem in the native language entitled “ Sa Aking Mga
Kababata (To my Fellow Children)

 This poem reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment.

 In poetic verses, he proudly proclaimed that a people who truly love their native language
will surely strive for liberty like the bird which soars to freer space above.

 At the age of eight, after writing the poem “To My Fellow Children”, he wrote his first
dramatic work which was tagalog comedy.

 In his early manhood, young Jose was also interested in magic. He was then known as a boy
magician.

The Manuscript: Tagalog Comedy

 It has been said that a gobernadorcillo from Paete, Laguna happened to witness the comedy
and liked it so much , bought the said manuscript for two pesos.

 the manuscript was brought by the said gobernadorcillo in his home town.
Early Manhood: Jose as a Boy Magician

 Jose Rizal was interested in magic;

 He learned various tricks and making coin appear or disappear in his fingers;

 He used to make handkerchief vanish in thin air;

 He entertained town folks with magic-lantern exhibitions;

 He can twist his fingers into fantastic shapes;

 He was able to enlarge shadows on the screen resemble certain animals and persons; and

 He also gained skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet shows).

Early Education in Calamba & Biňan: Teachers of Young Jose

• 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 by 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. Suddenly, she
discovered that her son had a talent for poetry. Consequently, she encouraged young Jose to
write poems.

• Doňa Teodora narrated many stories to his young son (Jose) in order for the latter to lighten
the monotony of memorizing the ABC’s and to stimulate his imagination.

• 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 Jose’s private tutor.

• Monroy lived at the Rizal home and instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he did
not lived long and died five months later.

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

Young Jose in Biňan, Laguna

• 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 Biňan 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 described as a small nipa hut and about
30 meters from Jose’s aunt house.

• 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 and his teacher asked him whether he
knows to speak Spanish and Jose politely replied yes but a little bit.

• 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."

• It is worthy to note that young Jose was nine (9) years old at the time he was first separated
from his family to continue his studies in Biňan, Laguna.

First School Affray of Young Jose

• In 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 excitement 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 irritable by nature,
but he never ran away from a fight.
Best 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 teasingly yelled
to the teacher whenever Jose had a fight outside the school, and even told lies to discredit
him before the teacher’s eyes.

• As a result, the teacher had to punish Jose. 

Influences from Other Members of His Family

 Uncle Gregorio taught him the value of hard work, to think for himself, and to observe his
surroundings keenly.

 Uncle Jose encouraged him to sketch, paint, and make sculptures.

 Uncle Manuel encouraged him to pursue his physical development. He taught young Rizal
how to swim, fencing, wrestling, and other sports.

Doña Teodora’s imprisonment

• When Rizal was just about to go to Manila to continue his education at the Ateneo Municipal,
tragedy stuck the Rizal family.

• Dona Teodora was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother, Jose
Alberto, tried to poison the latter’s disloyal wife.

• Jose Alberto, a rich Biňan Ilustrado had just returned from Europe and he found that his wife,
Teodora Formoso, left their home and children for another man. Jose Alberto planned to
divorce her, but Doña Teodora persuaded the couple to reconcile so as to avoid family
scandal.

• But for no valid reason at all, Alberto’s wife sued her husband for allegedly trying to poison
her and incriminated Doňa Teodora as his co-conspirator.

• Alberto’s wife was aided by the Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia Civil. Remarkably, the
Calamba’s gobernadorcillo, Antonio Vivencio del Rosario, was hasty to believe the charge.

• Long before, the two officials were frequent guests at the Rizal home but both had been
holding grudges against the Rizal’s family. At one occasion, Rizal’s father could not
accommodate to give food for the lieutenant’s horse. The gobernadorcillo, on the other hand,
is said to have felt insulted that he had not been shown any greater respect than the Filipino
guests in his visits to Rizal home.

• After arresting Doňa Teodora, the sadistic Spanish Lieutenant forced her to walk from
Calamba to Santa Cruz, Laguna, a distance of 50 kilometers.
 • Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, she was imprisoned at the provincial prison, where she suffered
for two years and half until Manila Royal Audiencia (Supreme Court) acquitted her of the
alleged crime.

Doňa Teodora: A Victim of Injustice

• Even though Doňa Theodora suffered injustice in the judicial system at that time, she
remained calm, resolute, and courageous.

• She accepted her fate with Christian resignation.

• She believed that with God’s help, the court would finally recognized her innocence and the
truth would prevail.

Young Jose’s Diary: My Mother was a Victim of Injustice

“ Our mother was unjustly snatched away from us and by whom? By some men who had been our
friends and whom we treated as honored guests. Later our mother got sick, far from us and at an
advanced age. My mother was defended by Don Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan, the
most famous lawyers of Manila. “

The 1872 Cavite Mutiny

• To this event, we attribute extraordinary importance not only because of the event per se, but
also because of their consequence (unpleasant experience), who awakened the political
consciousness of the Filipinos including Jose Rizal.

• In his clear language, Jose Rizal admitted the influence of the incident of Cavite, and he
expressed this in a letter to Mariano Ponce: “ Without 1872, there would not be a Plaridel nor
Jaena, nor a Sancianco, nor would there be such brave and generous Filipino communities in
Europe.

• From his letter written in Paris, April 18, 1889, to Mariano Ponce, seventeen years later. Jose
who was then 28 years old.

Historical Highlights: Cavite Mutiny

• On the night of January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite
arsenal under the leadership of La Madrid, a Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny.

• Reasons of Mutiny:

• Abolition of their usual privileges; and

• Existence of forced labor

Cavite Mutiny: The Fall Down

• Unfortunately, this Cavite Mutiny was suppressed two days later by troop reinforcement from
Manila.
 • In order to honor Father Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, leaders of the
secular movement to Filipinize the Philippine parishes, their supporters such as: Jose Ma.
Basa, Atty. Joaquin, Pardo de Tavera and Atty. Ma. Regidor, overblown the uprising for
Philippine Independence

GomBurZa’s Martyrdom

• Despite the archbishop’s plea for clemency, the three well-known priests were executed at
sunrise, February 17, 1872 by the order of Gov. General Izquierdo.

• Their martyrdom deeply mourned by the Rizal family and the other patriotic Filipino families.

• Paciano was angry because of the execution of Burgos, his beloved friend, teacher, and
housemate. Such unpleasant event was the reason why Paciano quitted his studies in
college.

• Paciano returned to Calamba and related to his younger brother Jose, the story of the heroic
of Burgos. Jose during this time was nearly eleven years old.

• 1891, he dedicated his second novel, El Felibusterismo, to GOMBURZA.