Ampeloquio, Macky B.

AC3A

Jose Rizal's childhood molded him of who he was during his adulthood and his

principles and values in life are based on what his family has influenced him. Identity

formation is greatly affected by one's childhood. Children use this period to explore their

passions, skills, and values, which helps them form their distinct identities and develop

a sense of self. It is also a formative period that shapes an individual's physical health,

cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, social skills, and overall development. It lays

the groundwork for future success and happiness in various aspects of life. He is a very

bright and brave kid because his mother taught him to become one. Jose Rizal’s first

teacher was his mother, who had taught him how to read and pray and who had

encouraged him to write poetry. Later, private tutors taught the young Rizal Spanish and

Latin, before he was sent to a private school in Biñan. He is very studious and gives so

much importance to education. According to my research, Rizal is said to have had the

ability to master various skills, subjects, and languages. Our national hero was also a

doctor, farmer, naturalist (he discovered the Draco rizali, a small lizard; Apogania rizali,

a beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali, a frog), writer, visual artist, athlete (martial arts,

fencing, and pistol shooting), musician, and social scientist. We cannot deny how gifted

Rizal was, he doesn't need to exert physical efforts to freed his nation, only his mind

and intelligence.
 He was popular not only in our country but also in the whole world because he's our

national hero but Jose Rizal was also an ordinary kid back then. He came from a 13-

member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso

Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother. They are Saturnina, Paciano, Narcissa,

Olimpia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa Trinidad and Soledad. According to some

archives, his siblings and Jose was very loving and close to each other despite of their

experiences during their time. Saturnina had always been a loving ‘Ate’ Neneng to Jose.

When their mother was imprisoned, Saturnina brought the young Jose to Tanauan

during the summer vacation of 1873 just to cheer up the sad little brother. On the other

hand, After Jose Rizal’s execution in December 1896, his ‘kuya’ Paciano joined the

Katipuneros in Cavite under General Emilio Aguinaldo. While Narcisa would help in

financing Jose Rizal’s studies in Europe, even pawning her jewelry and peddling her

clothes if needed. Jose loved to tease his sister, Olimpia, sometimes good-humoredly

describing her as his stout sister.

He was being idolized and considering him as a role model for many, it feels

surrreal to think that he also lived an ordinary life like we do. He also act goofy with his

siblings and struggle to learn some things because he was just a human.