RIZAL ‘S

GENEALOGY
FIRST DEGREE FAMILY
 FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL

Francisco Mercado Rizal, the father of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, was born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan,
Laguna, during the Spanish colonial period. A well-educated farmer, landowner, and businessman, he was known
for his progressive ideas and advocacy for education. Despite navigating colonial rule and socioeconomic disparities,
he instilled in his children a sense of nationalism and commitment to social justice. Rizal became a polymath,
nationalist, and revolutionary thinker, playing a crucial role in the Philippine independence movement because of
his influence. He passed away on January 5, 1898, leaving behind a legacy of education, resilience, and patriotism.
He remains a revered figure in Philippine history, remembered not only as the father of Jose Rizal but also for his
own contributions to the struggle for Filipino emancipation from Spanish colonial rule.
TEODORA ALONZO RIZAL

Teodora Alonzo, born in 1827 in Manila, was the mother of the national hero of the Philippines, Jose
Rizal. She was educated and fluent in Spanish, Latin, and Tagalog. Despite her intellectual prowess, she
faced societal norms that limited women's access to formal education. Teodora was known for her strong
personality intelligence, and Catholic faith, shaping her children's character and values. Despite facing
challenges, including persecution by Spanish authorities and imprisonment, she remained a symbol of
maternal love, strength, and sacrifice in Philippine history. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of
Filipinos.
 RIZAL’S SIBLINGS

SATURNINA RIZAL
Saturnina Rizal, born in 1850, was the eldest sibling of the national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal.
She was educated by her parents and played a significant role in shaping his character and values. Saturnina
married lawyer Manuel T. Hidalgo in 1870, establishing ties between the Rizal and Hidalgo families. She
supported Rizal's advocacy for social reforms and Philippine independence, providing moral and emotional
support during his exile and imprisonment. Saturnina's loyalty, resilience, and strength earned her honor in
Philippine history. She passed away on February 11, 1913, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and devotion
to both her family and her nation.
 PACIANO MERCADO RIZAL

Paciano Mercado Rizal, born in 1851, was the elder brother of the national hero Jose Rizal. He was educated
by private tutors and at home under his parents, Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso. Paciano was the eldest
surviving son in the Rizal family and managed the family's affairs. He was deeply involved in the nationalist
movement against Spanish colonial rule, supporting his brother Jose's efforts for social reforms and Philippine
independence. Despite facing imprisonment and arrests, Paciano remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued
to support the fight for independence. Throughout his life, Paciano Rizal remained dedicated to his family and his
country. His sacrifices, courage, and unwavering commitment to the Philippine nationalist cause have earned him
a place of honor in Philippine history. Paciano passed away on April 13, 1930, leaving behind a legacy of resilience
and patriotism that continues to inspire generations of Filipinos.
 NARCISA RIZAL

Narcisa Rizal, born in 1852, was a sister of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. She was educated at home and
supported her brother's efforts for social reforms and independence. Narcisa married Antonio Lopez in 1870,
strengthening the Rizal-Lopez family. After Rizal's execution in 1896, she took custody of his remains and
arranged for his burial. Narcisa's loyalty, resilience, and contributions to the Philippine nationalist movement
earned her honor in Philippine history. She passed away in 1939, leaving a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and
patriotism.
 OLYMPIA RIZAL

Olympia Rizal, born in 1855 in Calamba, Laguna, was the younger sister of the national hero, Jose Rizal.
She was educated and well-educated, and a strong supporter of her brother. Despite limited opportunities,
Olympia was well-educated and a source of comfort for her brother. She also contributed to the nationalist
movement by supporting social reforms and Philippine independence. Her unwavering support for her brother
and her dedication to her family earned her honor in Philippine history. Olympia passed away in 1887, leaving
a lasting legacy.
 LUCIA RIZAL HERBOSA

Lucia Rizal (1857–1919) is the fifth child in the family. She married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, Laguna.
Charged of inciting the Calamba townsfolk not to pay land rent and causing unrest, the couple was once
ordered to be deported along with some Rizal family members.
Lucia’s husband died during the cholera epidemic in May 1889 and was refused a Catholic burial for not
going to confession since his marriage to Lucia. In Jose Rizal’s article in La Solidaridad entitled Una
profanacion (A Profanation), he scornfully attacked the friars for declining to bury in ‘sacred ground’ a
‘good Christian’ simply because he was the “brother-in-law of Rizal”
 MARIA RIZAL CRUZ

Maria Rizal (1859-1945) is the sixth child in the family. It was to her whom Jose talked about wanting to marry
Josephine Bracken when the majority of the Rizal family was apparently not amenable to the idea. In his letter
dated December 28, 1891, Jose Rizal wrote to her sister Maria, “I’m told that your children are very
pretty.” Today, we have a historical proof that Maria’s progenies were indeed nice-looking (‘lahing maganda’).
Maria and her husband, Daniel Faustino Cruz had five children: Mauricio, Petrona, Prudencio, Paz, and
Encarnacion. Their son Mauricio married Conception Arguelles, and the couple had a son named Ismael
Arguelles Cruz. Ismael was the father of Gemma Cruz Araneta, the first Filipina to win the Miss International
title, also the first Southeast Asian to win in an international beauty pageant title.
 Concepcion Rizal

Also called ‘Concha’ by her siblings, Concepcion Rizal (1862-1865) was the eight child of the Rizal family.
She died at the age of three.
Of his sisters, it was said that the young Pepe loved most little Concha who was a year younger than him.
Jose played games and shared children stories with her, and from her he felt the beauty of sisterly love at
young age.
 JOSEFA RIZAL

Josefa Rizal’s nickname is Panggoy (1865-1945). She’s the ninth child in the family. Panggoy died a spinster.
Among Jose Rizal’s letters to Josefa, the one dated October 26, 1893 is perhaps the most fascinating. Written in
English, the letter addressed Josefa as “Miss Josephine Rizal. ”After Jose’s martyrdom, the epileptic Josefa joined
the Katipunan and was even said to have been elected the president of its women section. She was one of the
original 29 women admitted to the Katipunan along with Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Andres Bonifacio. They
safeguarded the secret papers and documents of the society and danced and sang during sessions so that civil
guards would think that the meetings were just harmless social gatherings.
 TRINIDAD RIZAL

Trinidad Rizal (1868-1951) or ‘Trining’ was the tenth child. Historically, she became the custodian of Rizal’s
last and greatest poem. Right before Jose’s execution, Trinidad and their mother visited him in the Fort Santiago
prison cell. As they were leaving, Jose handed over to Trining an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from the Pardo
de Taveras, whispering to her in a language which the guards could not understand, “There is something in it.”
That ‘something’ was Rizal’s elegy now known as “Mi Ultimo Adios.” Like Josefa, Paciano, and two nieces,
Trinidad joined the Katipunan after Jose’s death.
 SOLEDAD RIZAL

Also called ‘Choleng,’ Soledad Rizal (1870-1929) was the youngest child of the Rizal family. Being a
teacher, she was arguably the best educated among Rizal’s sisters. In his long and meaty letter to Choleng
dated June 6, 1890, Jose Rizal told her sister that he was proud of her for becoming a teacher. He thus
counseled her to be a model of virtues and good qualities “for the one who should teach should be better
than the persons who need her learning.”Rizal nonetheless used the topic as leverage in somewhat
rebuking her sister for getting married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba without their parents’ consent.
“Because of you,” he wrote, “the peace of our family has been disturbed. ”Choleng’s union with Pantaleon,
nonetheless resulted in Rizal family’s becoming connected by affinity to Miguel Malvar, the hero who could
have been listed as the second Philippine President for taking over the revolutionary government after
Emilio Aguinaldo’s arrest in 1901.
 2ND DEGREE FAMILY
Children of Narcisa Rizal
Daughters of Saturnina and Silvestre Ubaldo: Children of Maria Rizal and
Rizal and Manuel Hidalgo: 1. Angela Ubaldo Daniel Faustino Cruz:
1. Angelica Hidalgo 2. Dolores Ubaldo 1. Consolacion Cruz
2. Mauricia Hidalgo 2. Juan Cruz
Children of Olympia Rizal
Daughters of Paciano and Antonio Lopez: Children of Concepcion
Rizal: 1. Bernardino Lopez Rizal and Daniel Taviel de
1. Narcisa Rizal (named Andrade:
after her aunt) Children of Lucia Rizal and 1. Vicente Taviel de
2. Gregoria Rizal Mariano Herbosa: Andrade
3. Lucia Rizal 1. Alfredo Herbosa 2. Soledad Taviel de
4. Josefa Rizal Andrade
2. Isidra Herbosa
Children of Josefa Rizal and Narciso
Lopez:
1. Jose Lopez

Children of Trinidad Rizal and Vicente

Abad:
1. Trining Abad
 3RD DEGREE FAMILY
Grandchildren of Rizal's siblings:
1. Children of Rizal's nieces and nephews.

Great-grandchildren of Rizal's siblings:

1. The offspring of the grandchildren.

Spouses of Rizal's nieces and nephews:

1. The husbands and wives of Rizal's nieces and nephews.