Jose Rizal's Early Life and
Education
José Rizal, recognized as a Philippine national hero, was born on June 19,
1861, in Calamba, Laguna, as the seventh child of the Rizal family. His birth
occurred at night, and it was quite a traumatic experience for his mother,
who faced severe difficulties during her labor due to the size of his head. In
his memoirs, Rizal recalled; "My coming out in vale of tears would have cost
my mother her life, had she not vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo to take me to
her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage…" This anecdote highlights the deep
bond between Rizal, his family, and their devotion to faith.
Just a few days after his birth, on June 22, 1861, he was baptized in the
Roman Catholic Church, receiving the name José, which his mother chose in
honor of Saint Joseph. His godfather was Fr. Pedro Casañas, a family friend.
A memorable incident during his baptism involved the parish priest, Fr.
Rufino Collantes, who was struck by the child's physical attributes. He
notably advised the family to take good care of young José as he was
destined for greatness.
Rizal grew up in a loving household. His parents provided him with tender
care, especially as he was a frail and sickly child. He was taught to pray the
Angelus every evening at 6 PM, fostering a nurturing spiritual environment.
His early childhood experiences included participating in religious
processions and novenas starting at the age of three, through which he
learned to read the Spanish Bible with the help of his mother.
At the age of nearly seven, he accompanied his father on a pilgrimage to
Antipolo, fulfilling a vow his mother had made. One of the formative stories
told to him during his childhood was the tragic tale of a young moth, which
resonated deeply with Rizal and foreshadowed his eventual martyrdom for a
noble cause.
Rizal also faced personal losses early in his life. He was particularly close to
his younger sister, Concha, whose early death at the age of three marked
Rizal's first experience of grievous sorrow.
Mentors and Education
Rizal's education began at home where he was taught to read and write in
Spanish by his mother, Doña Teodora. His early teachers included private
tutors like Maestro Celestino and Maestro Lucas Padua, and he later studied
under Leon Monroy, who continued to nurture his talents in Spanish and
Latin.
Additionally, Rizal had mentors in his family, including Uncle Manuel Alberto
and Uncle Gregorio, who encouraged him to appreciate nature and the
importance of education. Uncle Gregorio imparted valuable life lessons,
urging him to work diligently while fostering independent thought.
Another influential figure was Fr. Leoncio Lopez, the parish priest of
Calamba, who inspired Rizal's love for scholarship and intellectual integrity.
By the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem titled Sa Aking Mga Kabata (To
My Fellow Children), expressing the significance of loving one’s language.
Academic Background
Education at Biñan, Laguna
Rizal's academic journey continued in Biñan, Laguna, where he attended a
formal school under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. During this time, he
encountered challenges such as bullying and confrontations with
schoolmates that honed his character. His free time was spent learning the
art of painting under the guidance of Juancho, the town’s master painter.
Education at the Ateneo de Manila
On June 10, 1872, Rizal took entrance examinations at the Colegio de San
Juan Letran, succeeding initially but was later enrolled at Ateneo Municipal
de Manila. Admission was challenging due to his physical stature and health
issues, but with the assistance of Perez Burgos, he finally enrolled.
At Ateneo, Rizal excelled academically, quickly becoming the top student
and earning recognition as the brightest pupil. His first significant
achievement included receiving a religious picture as the first prize awarded
to him.
Rizal enhanced his Spanish skills through private classes at Sta. Isabel
College, and during a challenging summer when his mother was imprisoned,
he read literature such as The Count of Monte Cristo and Universal History,
which motivated his writing endeavors.
His academic excellence propelled him to write various poems and essays,
with significant works like Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through
Education the Country Receives Light), emphasizing the value of education
for national progress.
Further Studies at UST
After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo in 1877, Rizal
enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for higher studies. Despite
enrolling in the philosophy program and aiming to pursue a title in surveying,
the atmosphere at UST suffocated his creative spirit. The prejudices he
faced among professors hindered his academic achievements compared to
his time at Ateneo, where he had thrived.
Rizal's ill-fated experiences with racial discrimination and hostility at UST
eventually led him to decide to leave for Europe, with aspirations that
extended beyond completing his medical education. His intentions were also
to explore journalism and study European life while advocating for his
countrymen's rights.