Chapter 2: Childhood Years In Calamba

Calamba derived from the “Big Native Jar” shown in the left side of the city.

Calamba is located between Laguna de Bay and Mount Makiling

At the age of 15 years old and was a student in the Ateneo de Manila wrote a poem about his beloved
town entitled “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo” (In memory of my town)

Early childhood memories:

 Happy days in the garden with family

 Daily Angelus prayer
 Nocturnal walk in town

First sorrow is when Concha (Concepion) died of sickness in 1865.

At the age of 3 years old, he began to take part in the family prayers.

At the age of 5 years old, he was able to read Spanish family bible.

At the age of 5 years old, he began to make sketches with his pencil and mold in clay and wax objects.

Story of the Moth made the profoundest impression on him. “Died a martyr to it’s illusion”

“Sa Aking Kababata” (To my fellow children) first poem in the native language.

During his early manhood Rizal was been interested in magic.

Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which was a tagalog comedy and was purchased the manuscript for
two pesos by a Gobernadorcillo from Paete, a town in Laguna.

Three influences:

 Hereditary Influences- inherent qualities.

 Environmental Influences- nature of a person.
 Aid of Divine Providence- fate or destiny of man.