Rizal’s Educational
Background
Emil L. Noveno
The Hero’s
First Teacher
• Rizal’s mother, Doña Teodora was his first
teacher.
• On her lap, he learned at the age of three
the alphabet and the prayers. "My mother,"
wrote Rizal in his student memoirs:
….."taught me how to read and to say
haltingly the humble prayers which I raised
fervently to God."
• As Jose grew older, his
parents employed private
tutors to give him lessons at
home.
• The first was Maestro
Celestino and the second,
Maestro Lucas Padua. Later,
an old man named Leon
Monroy, a former classmate of
Rizal’s father, became the
boy’s tutor.
• This old teacher lived at the
Rizal home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin.
Unfortunately, he did not lived
long. He died five months later.
Jose Goes to
Biñan
• Rizal went to Biñan on
June 1869. He was
accompanied by his older
brother Paciano, and taught
by Maestro Justiniano.
• In academic studies, Rizal
beat all Biñan boys. He
surpassed them in Spanish,
Latin, and other subjects.
Where Rizal went to school in Biñan: site of Master
Justiniano’s house, which burned down many years ago
Triumphs in
the Ateneo
• Rizal entered Ateneo in 1872.
He belonged to the class
composed of Spaniards,
mestizos, and Filipinos.
However, he was considered
as an inferior and was placed
at the bottom of the class.
• By the end of the month, he
became the emperor and
received a prize: a religious
picture.
• Rizal graduated on March 23,
1877, attaining sobresaliente or
excellent with 5 medals. He
received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts.
Medical
Studies in
University of
Sto. Thomas
• 1877 - 1882
• He continued his education at
UST and finished a year in
Philosophy and Letters after
deciding to shift to a medical
course. He made the decision for
him to be a physician and be
able to treat his mother’s failing
eyesight. Fr. Pablo Ramon, the
Father Rector of Ateneo whom
he consulted recommended
medicine.