Reporter: Coloscos,Noemy A.

Rizal Early Education at Calamba

▪︎e
H learned at the age of three the alphabet, and prayers from his patient and conscientious and
understanding mother. He learned how to read and write from his tutor, Maestro Celetino and
second tutor, Maestro Lucas Padua. The third tutor was Leon Monroy, an old man who was Rizal's
father classmate. Monroy lived at the Rizal's house and taught Rizal Spanish and Latin but died five
(5) months later.

▪︎Rizal used to visit Father Leoncio Lopez, the town parish priest, to listen to the stimulating opinions
of the priest on current events and sound philosophy of life.

■On the many stories told by Doña Teodora to Jose, the tragic fate of the young moth left a deep
impress/impact on Rizal's mind that to sacrifice one's life is worthwhile.

■Rizal's three (3) uncles played a great part in the early education of Rizal. Gregorio, who was a lover
of books taught Rizal the love for books, to work hard, to think for himself, and to observe life keenly.

Rizal's Life and Education In Biñan

●Rizal lett Calamba for Biñan in June 1869 on a Sunday afternoon, accompanied by his brother
Paciano. They road in a carromata for a ore a half hour drive to the house of their aunt where Rizal
had to lodge.

●On the same night, Jose and his cousin Leandro went sightseeing in town but Jose did not enjoy
well because of home sickness.

●The next morning (Monday), he was brought by Paciano to Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, the
former teacher of Paciano. Maestro Cruz was a tall, thin, long necked, with a sharp nose, he used to
wear sinamay shirt, but was a disciplinarian and a tough teacher. The school was in Maestro's house.

● Rizal learned Spanish, Altin, and other subjects from Maestro Cruz.

● At Biñan, Rizal was involved in several fights. First, Rizal and Pedro, son of Maestro Cruz who was
much bigger than Rizal had a fist fight. They wrestled furiously in the classroom. Rizal, though smaller
and with trail body, defeated Pedro because Rizal learned the art of wrestling from his uncle Manuel,
an athlete. The second brawl was with Andres Salandanan, challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling
match or "bunong-braso". At the sidewalk of a house. they wrestled with their arms but Rizal lost
because he had a weaker arm. He nearly cracked his head on the sidewalk. He had other fights with
his classmates in Biñan.

●Rizal also learned drawing and painting from old Juancho, Maestro Cruz's father-in-law. Rizal and his
classmate Jose Guevarra became apprentices of old Juancho.

● In academic studies, Rizal beat all Biñan boys in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects.

●Rizal left Biñan for Calamba on a Saturday afternoon on December 17, 1870 after one and one-half
year of schooling. He boarded the steamer Talim with a French man Arturo Camps, a friend of his
father.