Dr.

Jose Rizal’s Educational

Background
 Educational Background
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ •Madrid, Spain

•Paris, France
e •Heidelberg, Germany
 Early Education
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ •Madrid, Spain

•Paris, France
e •Heidelberg, Germany
 The Hero’s First Teacher
Dona Teodora
 Mother of Jose Rizal
 Patient, conscientious, and
understanding
 Discovered that her son had a
talent for poetry
 She encouraged him to write
poems
 Early Education
• At the age of 3, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother.

• At the age of 5, while learning to read and write, Rizal

already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded
his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches
and by his moldings of clay.

• At the age of 8, Rizal wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga

Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s
language.
 Early Education
• Rizal’s parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at
home.
• f

• Maestro Celestino – first private tutor

• f

• Maestro Lucas Padua – second private tutor

• f

• Leon Monroy
– Former classmate of Rizal’s father
– Lived at the Rizal home
– Instructed Rizal in Spanish and Latin.
EARLY EDUCATION
He had private tutors hired by his parents. Maestro Celestino
and Maestro Lucas also hired Leon Monroy, a Spanish and
latin teacher of Rizal and lives in Rizal's home. When Leon
Monroy died, they transferred Jose Rizal to Biñan
accompanied by his brother Paciano who lived in their aunt
house. He was brought to the school of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz. The school was a small nipa hut. Bullied by the
son of the teacher named Pedro. Jose challenged Pedro to a
fight, he defeated Pedro with wrestling and became famous.
Old Juancho, an artist who gave him free lessons in painting
and drawing.
Young Pepe and his mother, Teodora Alonso
The Light and the Moth

Photo grabbed from: biyahengjuansided.com

 THE STORY OF THE
MOTH
The Moth and the Flame was a story told by Doña Teodora
to her son, Jose Rizal. This happened one night when all the
family went to bed early, except Jose Rizal and his mother.
All Filipino homes at that time always had a light left
burning the entire night. So was the Rizal home, and at that
particular night their room was dimly lighted by the only
light of coconut oil.
 THE STORY OF THE MOTH
While Jose Rizal’s mother was focused in teaching
him to read in Spanish, she was losing her patience
upon hearing the boy poorly read. She decided to tell
the boy a story instead. (When Doña Teodora’s
eyesight was still good, she reads very well). The
mention of the story, brought Jose Rizal’s sleepy eyes
wide open.
As his mother was telling him the story of the young moth
which did not listen to the warning of the old moth, his
attention was caught by real, live, moths circling around
the light, as if the story turned into a reality. If the moths
were attracted to the light, to little Jose Rizal, the light
seemed to be more beautiful, and the flame more
attractive.
• He was envious to the fortune of those winged
insects which joyously frolicked around the flame.
He saw the tongue of the flame rolled to a side, and
into the oil fell the moth fluttering for a time. That
sight, for him, was worth his youthful admiration.
That was considered a great event by Jose Rizal.
Oblivious of his mother’s presence and not noticing
the story’s end, his attention was focused on the face
of the expired insect. With his whole soul, he
watched the insect, the insect which for him… had
died a martyr to its illusions.
While putting Jose Rizal to bed, his mother said:
“See that you do not behave like the young moth.
Don’t be disobedient, or you may get burnt as it
He was not sure if he answered, for what was in his
mind was the realization that, moths were not
insignificant warning of the old moth, left a deep
impress on Jose Rizal’s mind. He had given
justification to the demise of the moth, saying that
“to sacrifice one’s life for it” (ideal), is worthwhile.
Jose Rizal was fated to die as a martyr for a noble
ideal…like that young moth.
 LESSON OF THE STORY

• The story of the moth is about dying a noble death- to

be a martyr -Rizal justified such noble death asserting
that "to sacrifice one's life for it, is worthwhile. -Rizal
compared himself to the young moth in the story, and
like the moth, he died a martyr death in search for
education, reforms for his people/country.
Rizal's influences while growing up:

A. Hereditary influence: He inherited his sense of

self-respect and the love of work from his mother. He
inherited his enthusiasm for literature and arts, and
self-sacrifice from his mother.
• B. Environmental influence: He learned the courtesy and
kindness to women from his sisters. He learned the love for
freedom and justice from his only brother, Paciano. The
brothers of his mother developed his artistic ability, his
interest in physical exercise and his love for reading books.
His character was fortified by the abuses of the Spaniards.
His spirit of nationalism, and his willingness to sacrifice for
the redemption of his oppressed countrymen were awakened
through the execution of the three martyr priests: Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora.
• C. Divine Providence: Jose Rizal's greatest
influence was Divine Providence or God's
intervention throughout his life.
 Early Education
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ •Madrid, Spain

•Paris, France
e •Heidelberg, Germany
 Rizal goes to Binan,Laguna
• June, 1869 - Rizal left for Binan
• Accompanied by Paciano, his older brother
• He was taught by Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
• In academic studies, Rizal beat all Binan boys
• He surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects
 Education in Manila
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ •Madrid, Spain

•Paris, France
e •Heidelberg, Germany
ATENEO DE MANILA
 Ateneo Municipal de Manila (1872-1877)

• He belonged to the class

composed of Spaniards,
mestizos and Filipinos
• His teacher was Fr. Jose
Bech
• To improve his Spanish
Rizal took private
lessons in Santa Isabel
College
Photo grabbed from: ajiedurante.blogspot.com
 Ateneo Municipal de Manila (1872-1877)

• During his 4th year in

Ateneo he received 5
medals and graduated
as sobresaliente
• He graduated on March
23, 1877(16 years old)
• Received the degree of
Bachiller en Artes, with
highest honors.
Photo grabbed from: ajiedurante.blogspot.com
 Ateneo Municipal de Manila (1872-1877)

• Wrote his first poem “Mi Primera Inspiracion” (My First

Inspiration) which was dedicated to his mother on her
birthday.
• He also wrote “Through
Education Our
Motherland Receives
Light” and “The
Intimate Alliance
Between Religion and
Good Education” which
showed the importance
of religion in education. Photo grabbed from: ateneo.edu
 Education in Manila
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

• Ateneo De Municipal
Manila • University of Sto.
Thomas

Europ •Madrid, Spain

•Paris, France
e •Heidelberg, Germany
University of Santo Tomas
 University of Sto. Thomas (1877-1882)

• After graduated from Ateneo, he continued his

education at the UST, as a medical student.
• As a Thomasian, he won more literary laurels
• During his first term in 1877-1878 in medical course
at the UST, he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy and History of Philosophy.
 Medical Studies in University
of Sto. Thomas (1877-1882)
• It was during the school term
1878-1879 that Rizal pursued his
studies in medicine.
• Shifted to Medicine specializing
in Ophthalmology when he
found out that his mother was
going blind.
Photo grabbed from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Rizal
 University of Santo Tomas

He also enrolled in Ateneo, a course of surveying. November 25,

1881, he was entitled “Perito Agrimensor” (expert surveyor). He
was the president of the Academy of Natural Science and
secretary of Marian Congregation in Ateneo. He pursued his
studied in medicine in UST. One of the reasons is, he wanted to
cure his mother's eye sight. He consulted Fr. Rector of Ateneo for
career choice.
 University of Santo Tomas

Rizal received his 4 year practical training in Medicine at the

Hospital de San Juan de Dios in Intramuros. Rizal cut relationship
with Segunda Katigbak. He courted another woman in Calamba
called Miss L. Rizal experienced Spanish cruelty and brutality
from a Lieutenant of guardia civil whom he just passed by and
failed to show his respect. His life in UST wasn't great, filipino
students often get bullied and been called Indio or chongo.
Filipino called the Spaniards Kastila or bangus. UST was strict to
the filipinos that Rizal was not able to get high honors. Rizal made
the decision to finish medical studies in Spain.
 Medical Studies in University of Sto. Thomas (1877-1882)

• Rizal was unhappy at this Dominican Institution of

higher learning because:
1. The Dominican professors were hostile to him
2. The Filipino students were racially discriminated
by the Spaniards
3. The method of instruction was obsolete and
repressive
 Medical Studies in University of Sto. Thomas (1877-1882)

• After finishing the fourth

year of his medical course,
Rizal decided to study in
Spain. He could no longer
endure the rampant
bigotry, discrimination,
and the hostility in the
University of Santo Tomas.
Photo grabbed from: pinterest.ph
 Education in Europe
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ • Madrid, Spain

• Paris, France
e • Heidelberg, Germany
 Education in Spain
• His departure to Spain was made secret and made a farewell
letter to his parents and Leonor Rivera.To avoid detection, he
used the name Jose Mercado
• May 3, 1882 was his departure. He boarded on Salvadora bound
to Singapore. He then transferred to a French streamer, Djemnah.
The steamer made a few stops to Ceylon and to Suez canal.
Djemnah traversed the Suez canal for 5 days. The steamer had
another stop at port side and finally docking at the harbor of
Marseilles, France on June 12, 1882. June 16, 1882 - Jose reached
Barcelona.
 Universidad Central de Madrid

• On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in Universidad Central de

Madrid taking up two courses: Philosophy and Letters and
Medicine
• In the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando he studied sculpture
and painting under private instructors. He took lessons in English,
French and German and practiced fencing and shooting.
• On June 21, 1884, he conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine.
• The Following academic year, he studied and passed all subjects
leading to the degree of doctor of medicine.
 Universidad Central de Madrid 
• Unfortunately, he was not able to submit the thesis
required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees
• With that, he was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma
• Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and
Letters with higher grades
• He was awarded the Degree in Philosophy and letters
by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885
with the rating of excellent.
 Universidad Central de Madrid

Photo grabbed from: townandcountry.ph Photo grabbed from: ucm.es

 Spain as a realization
• It was a venue for realizing Rizal’s dreams.
• He finished his studies in Madrid and this to him was the realization of the
bigger part of his ambition.
• His vision broadened to the point of awakening in him an understanding
of human nature, sparking in him the realization that his people needed
him.
• It must have been this sentiment that prompted him to pursue, during the
re-organizational meeting of the Circulo- Hispano-Filipino, to be one of its
activities, the publication of a book to which all the members would
contribute papers on the various aspects and conditions of Philippines life.
 Noli Me Tangere
• The idea of writing a novel grew on him, and later he
decided to write and worked hard for Noli Me
Tangere.
• He never told anyone about it until it was finished,
though some of his companions knew what he was
doing.
• He wrote half of the novel in Madrid, a quarter of it
in Paris and the rest in Germany.
 Education in Europe
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

Europ • Madrid, Spain

• Paris, France
e • Heidelberg, Germany
 Opthalmology Studies and Travels
in Europe

• Jose Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to

specialize in ophthalmology. Among all branches, he
chose this specialization because he wanted to cure
his mother’s failing eyesight.
• In 1885, after studying at the Universidad Central de
Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24 years old, went to
Paris to acquire more knowledge in opthalmology
University of Paris

Photo grabbed from: larousse.fr

 Education in Europe
Early • Calamba
Education • Binan

Manila • Ateneo De Municipal

• University of Sto. Thomas

• Madrid, Spain
Europe • Paris, France
• Heidelberg, Germany
 Heidelberg University
• On February 3, 1886, after gathering
some experience in ophthalmology,
he left Paris and went to Heidelberg,
Germany
• At the age of 25, Rizal completed in
1887 his eye specialization under
the renowned Prof. Otto Becker in
Heidelberg

Photo grabbed from: travel.wikinut.co

Heidelberg University

Photo grabbed from: heidelberg.edu

 Heidelberg University
• On April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a poem entitled A Las
Flores de Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heidelberg)
because he was fascinated by the blooming flowers
along the Neckar River, which was the light blue
flower called “forget-me-not”.
• On August 14, 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. There, he
attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig
on history and psychology
Reasons why Rizal choose to reside in Germany longer:

• to gain further his studies in Science and

languages
• to observe the economic and political
conditions of the German nation
• to associate with the famous scientists and
scholars
• lastly to publish his novel Noli Me Tangere
 Education in Europe Summary
• Jose Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad
Central de Madrid, where he also took courses in philosophy
and literature.
• It was in Madrid that he began writing Noli Me Tangere.
• He also attended classes in the University of Paris
• In 1887, he completed his eye specialization course at the
University of Heidelberg.
• It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel was published in
Berlin.
 Rizal’s Life in Europe
• Jose Rizal lived in Europe for 10 years.
• He could converse in more than 10 different tongues. (22
languages - he is a linguist).
• Excelled at martial arts, fencing, sculpture, painting,
teaching, anthropology, and journalism, among other things.
• During his European sojourn, he also began to write novels.
Rizal finished his first book, Noli Me Tangere, while living in
Wilhemsfeld with the Reverend Karl Ullmer.
 References
• http://www.joserizal.ph/ed01.html
• https://joserizalproject.weebly.com/jose-rizalrsquos-
educational-background.htm
• http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~fasawwu/resources/rizal/biog
raphy.htm
• http://asianhistory.about.com/od/profilesofasianleaders
/p/joserizalbio.htm
• http://www.joserizal.ph/ed02.html
• http://joserizal.info/Biography/man_and_martyr/