Module 3

Rizal's Life: Family,

Childhood and Early
Education
Reference: Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal; A Modular Approach based
on the New CHED Curriculum, M. C. Pangilinan, M. C. Franco-Igloria, E. A.
Pasague, 2018, Mindshapers Co., Inc.
 Objectives:
At the end of module 3, the students should be able to:
▫ Examine Dr. Jose P. Rizal's life, family, childhood, and early education.
▫ Describe the efforts, diligence and determination of Dr. Jose P. Rizal to achieve
excellence in his early education.
▫ Compare and contrast Dr. Jose P. Rizal's family and the family of the present
generation.
▫ Participate actively in class discussion of the qualities and virtues of Rizal that are
worth imitating as a student/citizen.
▫ Identify the people and events and their influence in the early life of Rizal; and
▫ Glean from Dr. Jose P. Rizal's experience the traits that would later on define his
character
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
 Greatest Malayan who ever lived - the title he earned for the wisdom and sacrifices
for the country; up to this day, no Asian has surpassed Rizal's ingenuity and extreme
intelligence.
 Dr. Austin Craig was the first to trace Rizal's family roots and discover his Chinese
ancestry.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a 9th generation patrilineal descedant of a Chinese immigrant
and business tycoon Don Domingo Lamco (Chinese name: Pinyin Ke Yinan) of
Laguna was his great-great grandfather.
 Don Domingo Lamco - is originally from Amoy, China who came to the Philippines
in the mid-17th century. This is where he met his wife, Inez de la Rosa daughter of
Agustin Chinco an immigrant of trader from Chuanchow.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
 To avoid the the conflict and hostility of the Spanish authorties; Lamco dropped his
surname and adopted that of the Spanish which is “Mercado” which means market and
started businesses of the clan, and became a succesful entrepreneur.
 June 1697, Mercado was baptized in the Catholic church of Manila's Parian Chinese
ghetto and moved to Biñan Laguna.
 He was 35 years old that time and he became a Chinese community leader; his son
named Francisco Mercado and grandson named Juan Mercado married Chinese
Mestizas and served as distinguished mayor of Biñan Laguna.
 Juan's wife, Cirila Alejandra was the daughter of an immigrant trader and Mercado's
baptismal godson Siong-co. They are the parents of Rizal's father.
 Rizal's father was born, they trasferred to Calamba and have a house built with stones - a
first stone house in the whole town.
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal
 Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Paciano was identified with one of the martyred priest, Jose
Burgos so the family changed their surname from Mercado to Rizal.
 Recent genealogical findings revealed that Rizal also had Spanish, Japanese,
and Negrito ancestry.
 Teodora (Rizal's mother) great grandfather, Eugenio Ursua was a descendant of
Japanese settlers.
 Eugenio Ursua married a Filipino named Benigna and their union produced
Regina Ursua.
 Atty. Manuel de Quintos, a Sangley mestizo from Pangasinan married Regina
and their daughter is named Brigida. Brigida married a half-caste Spaniard named
Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo. They are the parents of Teodora and Rizal's
grandparents.
DR. AUSTIN CRAIG TRACING RIZAL'S
FAMILY LINEAGE Mother's Family Lineage
Father's Family Lineage
Eugenio Ursua
Don Domingo Lamco Japanese Settler
(Pinyin Ke Yinan) Married to
Chinese Settler
Married to
Benigna
daughter of Filipina
Agustin Daughter
Inez de la Rosa Chinco
immigrant of
Chuanchow
Regina Ursua
Sons
Married to

Francisco Mercado Juan Mercado Atty. Manuel de Quintos

Sangley Mestizo from Pangasinan
Married to
daughter of Daughter

Cirila Alejandro Siong-co

Brigida
Son Married to

Rizal's Father Don Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo

Francisco Half-caste Spaniard
Daugher

Rizal's Mother
Doña Teodora
 Rizal family belongs to the “Principalia” an aristocratic town of
distinguished families.
 They rented from the Dominican Order, they harvested rice, corn, and
sugarcane. Also they raise pigs, chickens and turkeys.
 Teodora managed a grocery story and operated a small flour mill.
 Rizal's parent were able to build a large stone house which was situated near
the town church; own a carriage as a status symbol of “ilustrados” and a
private library consisting of 1000 volumes.
 Their children were studying in colleges in Manila. They participated in all
social and religious affairs in the community. They were gracious and
hospitable to all visitors and guest during town fiestas and other holidays.
The Rizal family had simple and happy life; they were
intimately close
The parent's never spoiled them; they were strict and
trained their children to love God, to behave well, to be
obedient and to respect people.
When got into mischief, they were given good
spanking because they believed that “spare the rod and
spoil the child”.
 Jose Rizal described his father in his

The Hero's Father

diary; “My father was a model of
fathers had given us an education
commensurate with our small fortune;
and through thrift he was able to build a
Don Francisco Mercado Rizal
“
stone house; erect a little nipa house in
the middle of our orchard the shade of
(1818-1898) some trees and others.”

 was born in Biñan, Laguna.

 He studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
 Moved to Calamba after his parent's death.
 Became a tenant farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.
 He was hardworking, and independent-minded who talked less but
worked more and valiant in spirit.
 Jose Rizal described his mother in his

The Hero's Mother

diary; “My mother is a woman of more
than ordinary culture; she knows
literature and speaks Spanish better
than I. She even corrected my poems
Doña Teodora Alonso Y
“
and gave me wise advises when I was
studying rhetoric. She is a
Realonda (1826-1911) mathematician and has read many
books”

 was born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz Manila.

 She studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Manila
 A woman of refined culture and character, with exemplary
literary talents, the fortitude of a spartan woman and with
business ability, she managed their store.
 “
Rizal character was influenced by his
parents. “From his father he inherited a
profound sense of dignity, self respect
and seriousness, and from his mother
the dreamer and bravery for sacrifices
and her literary prowess.”
 Rizal Siblings
1. Saturnina (1850-1913) - eldest; nickname “Neneng”,
▫ she was married to Mauel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan Batangas.
(Rizal sent frequent correspondence while the latter was in
Europe)
▫ Children: Alfredo married to Aurora Tiaoqui
Adela married to Jose Ver
Abelardo
Amelia and Augusto who both died young
▫ In 1909, Saturnina published Pascuals Poblete's Taga;og
translation of Noli Me Tangere
 Rizal Siblings
2. Paciano (1851-1930) - second child; Rizal's confidant and the one who convinced him
to study in Europe without parent permission
▫ He studied Latin under maestro Justiniano Cruz attending the Colegio de San Jose in
Manila.
▫ He lived and worked with Fr. Jose A. Burgos
▫ He was in charge of sending money and budget, and constantly advised his brother Jose
Rizal through letters while in Europe.
▫ He became an ally of the Katipunan
▫ He became a general in the revolutionary army during the 1900's
▫ After Rizal's execution in December 1896 in Bagumbayan, he joined the Philippine
Revolution and became a combat general
▫ He returned to his farm in Los Baños, where he lived as a gentlemen, a farmer and died
at the age of 79
 Rizal Siblings
3. Narcisa (1852-1939) - third child; nickname “Sisa”,
▫ she was married to Antonio Lopez (Nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez)
▫ She was a musician and an educator from Pueblo de Morong (former name of
Rizal Province)
▫ Children: Emilio
Angelica married to Benito Abreu
Antonio married to Natividad Arguelles
Isabel, Francisco, Arsenio, and Fidela all whom died young
▫ She could recite from memory almost all poems of Jose Rizal
 Rizal Siblings
4. Olimpia (1855-1887) - nickname “Ypia”,
▫ she was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator
of Manila
▫ Children: Aristeo married to Leonarda Limja
Cesario and another boy; both died young
▫ She died while giving birth in 1887
 Rizal Siblings
5. Lucia (1857-1919) - she was married to Mariano Herbosa (nephew of Father
Casañas) of Calamba Laguna
▫ Children: Delfina married to General Salvador Natividad (Delfina helped
Marcella Agoncillo in making the first Philippine Flag in Hongkong)
Concepcion
Patrocinia married to Jose Battalone
Teodosio married to Lucina Vitingco
Estanislao, Paz, Victoria and Jose.
▫ Her husband, Herbosa died of Cholera and was denied of Christian burial being
the brother-in-law of Rizal
 Rizal Siblings
6. Maria (1852-1939) - nickname “Biang”,
▫ she was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna
▫ Children: Encarnacion married to Rosendo Banaad
Mauricio married to Concepcion Arguelles
Petrona, Paz, Prudencio, who all died
young.
7. Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Realonda (1861-1896) - nickname
“Pepe”,
▫ The greatest Filipino hero, and peerless genius
▫ He was a Filipino nationalist and polymath
▫ Opthalmologist, a writer, and a key member of the Filipino
Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the
colony under Spain
▫ 1872-1877 - studied highschool at Ateneo Municipal de Manila and
graduated with honors
▫ 1878 - took up Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo
Tomas while studying surveying at the Ateneo Municipal de
Manila.
▫ 1879 - enrolled in College of Medicine at UST
▫ 1884 - he started to write his first novel entitled “Noli Me Tangere”
▫ June 21, 1884 - received the degree in Licentiate in Medicine from the
Universidad Central de Madrid.
▫ June 19, 1885 - received the degree in Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters and
completed studies, Doctor of Medicine.
▫ 1886 - he studied Opthalmology at the University of Leipzig.
▫ February 21, 1887 - completed the novel Noli Me Tangere
▫ March 1887 - published the Noli Me Tangere in Berlin, Germany with the
financial support of Dr. Maximo Viola.
▫ 1890, published his edition of Morga's Sucesos in Paris, France and published
“The Indolence of the Filipinos”
▫ September 18, 1891 - moved to Brussels, Belgium to published his 2nd novel, El
Filibusterismo with assistance of Valentin Ventura and Jose Ma. Basa.
▫ 1892 - founded La Liga Filipina in Tondo, Manila
▫ July 7, 1892 - Andres Bonifacio founded KKK to secure independence from Spanish rule.
▫ In 1892-1896 - Rizal lived in Dapitan to serve in various capacity
▫ December 30, 1896 - Had a common law relationship with Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl
from Hong Kong. He had a son and died a few hours after death and named him Francisco
after his father.
▫ Rizal was executed for the crime of rebellion after the Philippine Revolution against the
Spanish rule, inspired in part by his writings, broke out.
▫ Though he is not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of its
goals which eventually led to the Philippine Independence.
▫ Executed by a Firing squad at 7:30 in the morning at the Bagumbayan Field. He was buried
at the Paco Cemetery after execution - widely considered as one of the greatest heroes of
the Philippines
 Rizal Siblings
8. Concepcion (1862-1865) - nickname “Concha”,
▫ Died at the age of 3; her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life
9. Josefa (1865-1945) - nickname “Panggoy”
▫ She was epileptic and died spinster at the age of 80
▫ She became a member of Katipuna
10. Trinidad (1868-1951) - nickname “Trining”,
▫ Last of the siblings to survive and died as spinster too; died at the
age of 83.
▫ She became a member of the Katipunan
▫ Caretaker of “Mi Ultimo Adios”
 Rizal Siblings
11. Soledad (1870-1929) - youngest; nickname “Choleng”
She was married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba
Children: Trinitario married to Maria San Mateo then married
Bernabe Malva (Son of General Miguel Malvar)
Luisa married to Jose Arguelles
Serafin and Felix who died young
She became a teacher, said to have been “the best educated” among
Rizal's sisters.
1929 - passed away at the age of 59
 The Birth of Rizal
> Jose P. Rizal; the 7th of the Rizal
family
> June 19, 1861 - was born
Wednesday between 11;00 and 12:00
midnight in the town of Calamba,
province of Laguna, Philippines
> His mother almost died during her
delivery because Jose's head was big.
> June 22, 1861 - he was baptized in
the Catholic Church in Calamba by
Father Rufino Collantes
> Rizal recounted: “My coming out in this vale
of tears would have cost my mother her life,
had she not vowed to the Virginia of Antipolo
to take me to her sanctuary by the way of
pilgrimage”
> Father Collantes was impressed by the big
head of Rizal and told them “take good care of
this child, for someday he will become a great
man”.
> “Jose” was chosen by his mother in honor of
San Jose (St. Joseph) whose feast was March
19.
 The Birth
> His complete name was Jose Protacio
of Rizal
> Surname Rizal was given by Don Francisco
Mercado Rizal Alonzo Y Realonda. which is closer to the Spanish word Racial
> The name “Protacio” was taken from which means “luntiang bukirin” related to his
the Catholic calendar which was practice work as hacienda owner/farmer.
during the Spanish time, that when a > Alonzo was the surname of Rizal's mother
child is born, s/he is named after saint of and Realonda was used by Doña Teodora
the day. which is the surname of her godmother.
> The surname “Mercado” which means
market in English; was adopted in 1731
by his paternal great-grandfather,
Domingo Lamco - a full blooded Chinese
merchant
 Jose Rizal's Childhood Years
> He could remember the tenderest care of his mother because he was frail, sickly and
undersized boy.
> At the age of 3, he enjoyed watching in the garden; like watching the insects, maya,
culiawan, maria capra, pipit, marting and other birds.
> He listened “with excitemen and wonder” to their twilight songs and sound.
> Another childhood memory was the daily praying of Angelus of 6:00 pm in their altar.
> At the “azotea” on a moonlight night, the “aya” (nursemaid) would tell stories about
fairies, legends, tales of buried treasures and other fabulous stories.
> The aya would threaten him if he would not eat his supper, about aswang, tikbalang,
nuno or the turbaned Bombay will come to take him away
 Jose Rizal's Childhood Years
> At the age of 3 - join religious processions, and novena in the church
> At the age of 5 - he was able to read the Spanish Bible with help of his mother.
> Nearly 7 - his father took him for a pilgrimage to Antipolo in order to fulfull
his mother's vows which was made when he was born.
The Hero's First Sorrow

> Rizal's family were bounded together by ties of love and care.
Thus, he loved most his little sister, especially Concha
(Concepcion) who was next to him.
> Unfortunately, Concha died at the age of three and for the first
time he shed tears for love and grief - which said to be his first
sorrow.
 The Story of The Moth
Once upon a time, an old moth had warned her daughter against the flame, so beautiful, so inviting,
yet fatal and deceitful for it destroyed whoever came too close. She herself said, she was once
tempted by it; she had barely escaped with half-burnt wings. The frightened young moth promised
to obey, but was soon asking herself: “now why should my mother try to give me such a scare?
Why should I close my eyes to such a pretty sight? These old people are such a coward! They think
every fly is an elephant, any old dwarf a giant. What harm can it to to me, whatever she says, if I
come near the flame, as long as I am careful? What I am, a little silly? What a story I shall have for
other girls if I, being very careful of course, take a closer look.”
No sooner said that done, and the silly little moth went fluttering around the flame. At first she only
felt pleasantly warm; this encouraged her and she flew closer and closer until at last, dazzled by
flame, fell and perished in it.
As she put me to bed, my mother said: “ See to it that you do not behave like the young moth.
Don't be disobedient, or you may get burned as it did. “I do not know whether I answered or not.”
 The Story of The Moth
> Of all the stories Rizal's mother had told, this
is the most memorable that made the
profoundest imprint on him.
> It revealed to Rizal that the things until then
are unknown. That moth were not longer for
him, insignificant insect.
>That moth communicates and warn just like
his mother.
> Moth grown dazzling and more
attractive and circled the flames then
later on, burnt itself.
> The tragic fate of the moth left a deep
impact on Rizal's mind, and just like it,
he was fated to die as a martyr for a
noble ideal.
Rizal's Mentors
1. Doña Teodora - his mother is his first teacher; barely 3
years old, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother. He
was taught how to read and write in Spanish.
2. Mastro Celestino - 1st private tutor
3. Maestro Lucas Padua - 2nd private tutor
4. Leon Monroy - former classmate of Rizal's father,
became his tutor; he instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin -
he died five months later.
Rizal's Mentors
5. Uncle Manuel Alberto - seeing Rizal frail body, concerned
himself with the physical development of his young nephew
and taught the latter love for the open air and developed in him
a great admiration for the beauty of nature.
6. Uncle Gregorio - a scholar, instilled into the mind of the
boy for education, advising Rizal “work hard and perform
every task very carefully; learn to be swift as well as thorough;
be independent in thinking and make visual pictures of
everything”.
Rizal's Mentors
> Rizal possessed a God-given talent for literature which was noticed
by his mother; due to his poetic inclination, she encouraged Rizal to
write poetry.
> At the age of 8 - Rizal wrote his first poem in the native language
entitled: “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” - To My Fellow Children
> “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” - reveals Rizal's earliest nationalist
sentiment. In poetic verses, he proudly proclaimed that a people who
truly love their native language will surely strive for liberty like “the
bird which soars to freer space above” and the Tagalog is the equal of
Latin, English, Spanish and any other language
Rizal's Mentors
7. Father Leoncio Lopez - fostered Rizal's love for the scholarship and
intellectual honesty; an old parish priest of Calamba
>At an early age, Rizal was already exposed to the injustices and
brutalities of Spanish authority in particular the Guardia Civil who were
supposed to protect the people from harm.
> He write and related to it and this awakened to fight tyranny.
> Rizal loved for his sisters that he usually wrote letters for them,
emphasize women and their righteous place in the society