RIZAL'S LIFE: FAMILY,

CHILDHOOD AND
EARLY EDUCATION

SUBTITLE COMES HERE

 Module 2

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.
 3

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.

4

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.
5

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.
6
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
Married to Sangley Mestizo from Pangasinan
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
7

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 10

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 11

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.
 12

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
13

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
14

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
15

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
16

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
17

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
18

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) - 19

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” 20

 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 21

 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
22

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
23

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
24
> 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.
 25

The
> His complete name was Jose
Birth of Rizal
> Surname Rizal was given by Don
Protacio Mercado Rizal Alonzo Y Francisco which is closer to the Spanish
Realonda. word Racial which means “luntiang
> The name “Protacio” was taken bukirin” related to his work as hacienda
from the Catholic calendar which owner/farmer.
was practice during the Spanish > Alonzo was the surname of Rizal's
time, that when a child is born, s/he mother and Realonda was used by Doña
is named after saint of the day. Teodora which is the surname of her
> The surname “Mercado” which godmother.
means market in English; was
adopted in 1731 by his paternal
great-grandfather, Domingo Lamco -
a full blooded Chinese merchant
 26

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
 27

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.
 28

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.
 29

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.
30
> 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
31

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
32

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
33

> 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
34

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