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ADUCAL, KYLA D. MM2B

ASSIGNMENT 1
I. Make a research on the following:
The meaning of Rizal’s name- José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

 Doctor-completed his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
 Jose- was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph)
 Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar
 Mercado adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the paternal great-great-grandfather of Jose Rizal)
which the Spanish term mercado means markert in English
 Rizal- from the word 'Ricial in Spanish means a field where wheat, cut while still green sprouts
again
 Alonzo-old surname of his mother
 Y-and
 Realonda- it was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her godmother based on the
culture by that time

Rizal’s Parents

Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)

 born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11. 1818

 studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
 became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda
 a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body
and
 died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80 valiant in spirit
 Rizal affectionately called him "a model of fathers"

Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911)

 born in Manila on November 8 1826

 educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city
 a remarkable woman, possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the fortitude
of Spartan women is a woman of more than ordinary culture: she knows literature and speaks
Spanish (according to Rizal)
 died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of 85

The Rizal Children

Eleven children-two boys and nine girls

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
 oldest of the Rizal children:
 nicknamed Neneng
 married Manual T Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas
2. Paciano (1851-1930)
 older brother and confident of Jose Rizal -was a second father to Rizal
 immortalized him in Rizal's first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio
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 Rizal regarded him as the "most noble of Filipinos.

 became a combat general in the Philippine Revolution -died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor
aged 79
 had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena)—a boy and a girl
3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
 her pet name was Sisa
 married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong
4. Olimpia (1855-1887)
 Ynia was her pet name
 married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila
5. Lucia (1857-1919)
 married to Mariano Harbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas
 Herbasa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law
of Dr. Rizal
6. Maria (1859-1945)
 Biang was her nickname
 married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna
7. Jose (1861-1896)
 the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
 nickname was Pepe
 lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong
 had a son but this baby-boy died a few hours after birth: Rizal named him "Francisco" after his
father and buried him in Dapitan
8. Concepcion (1862-1865)
 her pet name was Concha
 died of sickness at the age of 3
 her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
 her pet name was Pangany
 died an old maid at the age of 80
10. Trinidad (1868-1951)
 Irining was her pet name
 she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
 youngest of the Rizal children
 her pet name was Choleng
 married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba

Rizal’s Ancestry

Rizal’s Paternal Side

 As typical Filipino, Rizal was a product of the mixture of races. In his veins flowed the blood of
both East and West. Predominantly, he was a Malayan and was a magnificent specimen of Asian
manhood. Rizal's great-great grandfather on his father side was Domingo Lameo, a Chinese
immigrant from the Fukien city of Changchow, who arrived in Manila in about 1690. He became a
Christian , married a well-to-do Chinese Christian Girl of Manila named Ines de la Rosa, and
assumed in 1731 the surname Mercado, which was appropriate for him because he was a
merchant. The Spanish term mercado means "market" in English. Domingo Mercado and Ines de
la Rosa had a son, Francisco Mercado, who resided in Biñan, married a Chinese-Filipino mestiza,
Cirila Bernacha, and was elected gobernadorcillo of the town. One their sons, Juan Mercado,
Rizal's grandfather, married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese-Filipino mestiza. Like his father, he was
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elected gobernadorcillo of Biñan. Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had thirteen children, the
youngest being Francisco Mercado, Rizal's Father.

Rizal’s Maternal Side

 It is said that Doña Teodora's family descended from Lakandula, the last native king Tondo. Her
great-grandfather, Rizal's maternal great-great-grandfather, Eugenio Ursua (of Japanese
ancestry), who married a Filipina named Benigna (surname unknown). Their daughter, Regina,
married Manuel de Quintos, Filipino-Chinese lawyer from Pangasinan. One of the daughters of
Atty. Quintos and Regina was Brigida, who married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a prominent
Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Biñan. Their children were Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal's mother),
Gregorio, Manuel, and Jose.

The real surname of Rizal

 Jose’s real last name, Mercado, during those times was a hot name, targeted by the Spaniards. He
changed his surname to protect his identity. So he just used his middle name, Rizal, instead,
which was considered as illustrado during the Spanish time and entails the benefits a Spaniard
can get. Second, there was Spanish law to change the last name of Filipinos those times.Mercado
sounded a common name and there were lots of people having that surname already who were
not really relatives of Rizal.

R.A. 1425: The Rizal Law

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

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

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to
teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the
provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of
students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the
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provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the
course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty
(30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall
be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and
universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon
the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils
throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public
school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any
fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Reflection: Base on your own opinion.

During Rizal’s time, what was the socio-political situation of our country?

We all know that during the time of Jose Rizal, the Philippines was under the control of Spain as a
colony. The Spanish colonial government implemented many policies that suppressed the rights and
freedoms of the Filipino people while Catholic Churches also held significant power and influence in society,
increasing the population's enslavement even more. One thing I know is that the socio-economic situation
of the Philippines during this time was characterized by poverty and inequality. The majority of the
population were farmers and worked in agriculture, but they were subject to exploitative labor practices
and were not able to improve their economic status. There was also a lack of education and access to
information, as the Spanish colonial government heavily censored any form of dissent or criticism. This
made it difficult for Filipinos to be informed about their rights and the injustices they were facing.

Rizal, being one of the most prominent figures of this era, was a vocal critic of the Spanish colonial
government and advocated for the rights and freedoms of the Filipino people. He also sought to educate
Filipinos about their history and culture, and to promote national consciousness and unity. Through his
writing, he inspired a growing sense of nationalism among Filipinos, which ultimately led to the Philippine
Revolution of 1896.

In conclusion, during Rizal's time, the Philippines was a colony of Spain and was characterized by
a lack of freedom and rights for the Filipino people. The socio-political situation was really hard as
Spaniards never treated Filipino the way they deserved. There are poverty and inequality as well as
discrimination everywhere. Rizal's writings and activism played an important role in raising awareness
about the injustices of the time, and in inspiring a sense of nationalism among Filipinos which ultimately
led to the revolution.