CHAPTER 2: Childhood Years

in Calamba
1st Sem Notes 🗿 RIZAL’S LIFE & WORKS
CALAMBA, the HERO’s Town
Hacienda town which belong to the DOMINICAN ORDER

Nestling on a verdant plain covered with rice fields/sugar-lands

To the south looms the legendary Mount Makiling

East of the town is the Laguna de Bay; In the middle of the lake is the island of
Talim

At the north is the distant Antipolo, famous mountain shrine of the miraculous
Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

UN RECUERDO A MI PUEBLO (1876) – Wrote this poem when he was only 15

yrs old/student at Ateneo de Manila

EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Aya (nursemaid) employed to care for the frail, sickly and undersized Rizal

At the aged of three (3) he watched from nipa hut the culiauan, maya, maria,
capra, martin, pipit and other birds with wonder and joy to their twilight songs.

Angelus prayer

Happy moonlit night at Azotea where the Aya related to the Rizal Children many
stories about fairies. These stories aroused in Rizal enduring interest in Legends
and Folklores.

Nocturnal moonlit walk in the town and by the river

FIRST SORROW

Concha died of sickness in 1865 when she was only three years old

CHAPTER 2: Childhood Years in Calamba 1

 DEVOTED SON OF THE CHURCH

Grew up a good Catholic

At age 3, he began to take part in family prayers and at age 5 he began to read
haltingly Spanish family bible.

Went to church, pray and take part in novenas and join religious processions

Rizal used to visit esteemed and respected Father Leoncio Lopez, Calamba
priest and listen to the latter’s stimulating opinions on current events and sound
philosophy of life.

PILGRIMAGE TO ANTIPOLO

On June 6, 1868 – Rizal and his father left Calamba for Antipolo to fulfill his
mother’s vow which was made when Jose was born

Describing the experience of crossing Laguna de Bay in a casco he said “ With

what pleasure I saw the sunrise; for the first time I saw how the luminous rays
shone, producing a brilliant effect on the raffled surface of the wide lake”

On their way back they visited Saturnina in Manila who was then a boarding
student at La Concordia College in Sta. Ana.

THE STORY OF THE MOTH

The young moth did not heed the repeated warning of the old moth not to get so
close to the light which to the young moth was so beautiful and attractive, and so
the young moth met its death by burning itself by reason of curiosity and
attraction to the luminous light.

Rizal justified such noble death (died martyr to its illusions) asserting that “to
sacrifice one’s life for it (ideal), is worthwhile.

Like that young moth, he was fated to die a martyr (in search for light –
education, reforms for his country/people)

ARTISTIC TALENT
At age 5, made sketches with his pencil, mold clay and wax objects
• He painted in oil colors a new banner that delighted the crowd – it’s better than the

CHAPTER 2: Childhood Years in Calamba 2

 original

FIRST POEM BY RIZAL

His mother – lover of literature encourage Rizal to write poetry
• At age of 8, he wrote his poem in the native language entitled “Sa Aking Mga
Kababata”. This poem reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment and proclaimed
that people who love the native language will strive for liberty.

FIRST POEM BY RIZAL

Tagalog comedy applauded in Calamba festival the manuscript of which was bought
by gobernadorcillo from Paete, Laguna for P2.00. It was shown also during Paete’s
fiesta.

RIZAL AS BOY MAGICIAN

Making coin appear and disappear in his fingers • Handkerchief vanishing in the air •
Magic-lantern exhibition – lamp casting its shadow on a white screen
• Twisted his fingers into shapes, making their enlarged shadows on the screen
resemble certain animals/persons
• Manipulated marionettes (puppet shows) • Read books on magic and attended
performance of great magicians

LAKESHORES REVERIES
With his pet dog (Usman) used to meditate at Laguna de Bay asking what might be
over on the other side of the waves.
• Thinking of the Guardia Civil caning and injuring unarmed and peace loving
villagers whose only act was not having taken off their hats and vowed while passing
in front of the former.
• No restraint put upon Spanish brutality committed daily • “In view of these injustices
and cruelties, although yet a child, my imagination was awakened and I made a vow
dedicating myself someday to avenge the many victims.”… (letter to Mariano Ponce)

CHAPTER 2: Childhood Years in Calamba 3

 INFLUENCE ON THE HEROE’S BOYHOOD
1. HEREDITARY INFLUENCE

Malayan Ancestors – love for freedom; innate desire to travel and his
indomitable courage.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE

Scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful garden of the Rizal family
stimulated Rizal’s inborn artistic and literary talents.

Religious atmosphere at home – fortified his religious nature

Paciano – instilled in his mind the love for freedom and justice

From his sisters – he learned courtesy and kindness to women

Fairytales told by his Aya – awakened his interest in folklore and legends

Tio Jose Alberto who studied for 11 years in British School in Calcutta, India/
traveled to Europe – inspired him to develop his artistic ability

Tio Manuel – husky and athletic – encouraged him to develop his frail body
through exercise, walking, wrestling

Tio Gregorio – book lover – intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good books

Fr. Leoncio Lopez – fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty

Death of Concha (1865), imprisonment of his mother in 1871-74 – strengthened

his character

Spanish abuses, cruelties, brutal acts of guardia civil and the alcalde, tortures on
innocent Filipinos and execution of GOMBURZA (1872) awakened his patriotism

3. AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

God endowed him with versatile gifts of a genius, vibrant spirit of nationalistic
and valiant heart for a noble cause.

CHAPTER 2: Childhood Years in Calamba 4