Life and Works of Rizal

LESSON 2:
Dr. Jose Rizal (JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO REALONDA)

• National hero of the Ph

• Doctor (ophthalmology), mental, and nationalist
• Political activist known for his political composition that propelled the Ph transformation
• Writes Noli and Elfili with the aims of exposing the injustice and abuse of the Spanish government

BIRTH AND FAMILY

• Born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna

• His birth is challenging due to his large head
• Regarded as special and called as muy bonito (very handsome)
• June 22. 1861 (3 day old only) – he was baptized by
Fr. Rufino Collantes: Fr Pedro Casanas is the godfather
• JOSE – comes from Saint San Jose
• PROTACIO – Christian calendar
• RIZAL – “ricial” or luntiang bukirin
• MERCADO – palengke (from his great grandfather Domingo Lamco who migrated in Ph due to Manchu
invasion)
• Y – and
• ALONZO – old surname of his mother
• REALONDA – surname of her godmother
• NOTABLE FAMILY MEMBER OF RIZAL
o Father: Francisco Mercado Rizal (a model of fathers; influenced him to developed self-esteem,
work ethic, and independent thought patterns)
o Mother: Dona Teodora Alonzo (taught Rizal the prayer practice and basic reading and writings
skills; she also encouraged Rizal to compose poetry)
o Older brother: Paciano Rizal (support Jose Rizal’s endeavors, education and ideals; taught Rizal
values such as notions of liberty and injustices of Spaniards)
o Sister:Concha Concepcion Rizal (died at the young age)

RIZAL’s ROMANTIC LIFE

• Segunda Katigbak – first love; neighbor; inspiration of “Sa aking mga kabata”
• Leonor Valenzuela – 2nd love of Rizal, when he was 14 yrs old
• Leonor Rivera – inspiration for Maria Clara
• Consuelo Ortega y Rey – romantic interest in Spain
• Seiko Usui – met in Japan and taught him Japanese culture
• Gertrude Beckett – London; help him in his sculpture works
• Suzanne Jacob – Belgium
• Nellie Boustea – France; he wants to marry her
• Josephine Bracken – common law marriage; they have a child but died after birth

EARLY EDUCATION

• Dona Teodora: Discover Rizal’s talent in poetry and his 1 st teacher

• Maestro Celestino – 1st private tutor
• Maestro Lucas Padua – 2nd private tutor
• Maestro Leon Monroy: Spanish and latin teacher; former classmate of Don Francisco
 • Jose Alberto: uncle; teach the importance of education

PRIMARY EDUCATION

• Maestro Justiniano Aquino: teacher at all-boys school in Binan

• Early education in Calamba and Binan; most of his studies consist of writing, arithmethic, and religion
• June 10, 1872(4 days after the execution of GOMBURZA and Dona Teodora are still in prison): Rizal
attended Ateneo Municipal
• Colegio de San Juan: first choice of Rizal’s father
• Ateneo de Municipal (Escuela Pia before)
o Fr. Magin Ferrando – refused to admit Rizal since he was a late registrant and look frail, thin &
undersized
o Manuel Burgos -help Rizal to be admitted
o Used Rizal instead of Mercado to avoid suspicions
o March 23. 1877: received diploma for Bachelor Arts; he was 15 yrs old

SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE

• People
o Dona Teodora, Don Francisco Mercado, Paciano Mercado, and Conception Rizal influence Jose
Rizal (Note: go back to NOTABLE FAMILY MEMBER OF RIZAL for more info)
• Events/ Situation
o Execution of GOMBURZA
o Imprisonment of Dona Teodora
o Being bullied by his classmates

MEMORIA de UN ESTUDIANTE de MANILA (Memories of a Student in Manila (1872-1881)

• He write his experiences as a student from Binan to Manila, ages 17-20 under the pen name of P.
JACINTO
• It consists of 8 CHAPTERS
• CHAPTERS:
o One: include childhood in Calamba; house and lifestyle; daily angelus prayers, death of concha
o Two: stories away from home when he studies in Binan; his longing to his family
o Three (Jan 1871- Jun 1872): happenings at that time specially his mother’s case
o Four (1872 – 1815)
o Five (2 years in college): His time as a student in Manila; the rules implemented in Ateneo; about
his childhood sweetheart segunda
o Six (Apr – Dec 1877): dedicated to Segunda
o Seven ….. (Nothin)
o Eight: He recalls the fable of the Lamp; emphasize the importance of listening, obeying, and
following the parents

SA AKING MGA KABATA (1898)

• Written when he was 8 YEARS OLD

• First appearance is in “Kung sino and Kumatha ng Florante”
• Tagalog
• Theme: LOVE AND PRIDE FOR THE FILIPINO ANGUAGE
• Regarded as greatest composition as it captures his devotion to the Filipino language
• Lessons: nationalism and patriotism, love and importance of our language

UN RECUERDO A MI PUEBLO (A tribute to my town) – 1876

 • Written when he was 15 YEARS OLD
• Reflects Rizal’s influence as a national hero and cultural icon, and his contribution to the development of
Filipino identity
• The importance of hometown in shaping one’s identity
• Have 7 STANZA

A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth) – 1879

• Submitted by Rizal for Artistic – Literary Lyceum of Manila contest in 1879 when he was 18 YEARS OLD
• Written in Spanish