Republic of the Philippines

NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE

VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Course Code : GE 12
Descriptive Title : Life and Works of Rizal
Term and Academic Year : 1st Semester, AY 2024-2025
Department and Year Level : BCRIM III
Professor : ANA MIE B. SOBREVEGA

Module 2, Lesson 1
Rizal’s Family and the Filipinos

I. Introduction
In this module, we shall discuss the family and how his early childhood influences his values and ideas.

Furthermore, in this lesson you shall gain a thorough understanding about Rizal’s family, and on how and
where Rizal got their surname, and how greatly influence the life of the Filipinos.

At the end of this lesson you are tasked to answer the assessment and submit it on the date stated in the
module.

Time Frame: 4 hours Date of Submission:

II. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, you must have:
1. explained the source and meaning of each name/surname of Rizal;
2. identified Rizal’s family members and each of their roles in the development of his thought and character;
and
3. reviewed the status of Mercado family and the average Filipino family today.

III. Learning Contents

Rizal’s Influence on the Filipinos

Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a national hero and a role model to countless generations, deserves our respect would be an
understatement.
As an advocate and a leader of peaceful reform in the country, he planted the seeds of nationalism in the
hearts and minds of the Filipino people – seeds which eventually blossomed into a revolution that liberated us from the
Spaniards. Admired across the world for his contributions to the reform movement and different intellectual fields.
Rizal is regarded by most Filipinos as the redeemer of the oppressed. According to Alzona (1977), who prepared Rizal’s
biographical sketch. Rizal is the Philippine’s most revered hero. And this is proven by many Filipinos who say that they
were inspired by him. In schools, teachers encourage students to emulate his values, intellectual rigor, and love for the
country. Moreover, a lot of Filipino parents named their sons after him – a sign that even in the smallest of gestures
and decisions, the influence of Rizal is immanent. The question, however, remains: what are the foundations of Rizal’s
values and ideas?
Bantug (2008) describes the family of Rizal as a very values-oriented household. Each member of the family
was taught the moral standards of the family’s ancestors. One of the most important values imparted to the young
Rizal and his siblings was love for the family. Paciano, who stood as Rizal’s guardian during his years in Ateneo and in
Spain (Herbos, 2000), best exemplifies this virtue. Other values taught to the young Rizal included nationalism,
appreciation for education, civic-mindedness, and religiosity. Modern Filipino families still uphold these norms of
conduct today.
Aside from good family values, Rizal also believed in the validity of self-sacrifice if the result would be beneficial
to the majority. Until his final moments, Rizal never stopped serving the country and the Filipino people.

On the Naming of Rizal

Before the Spanish conquest, the names of Filipinos were usually derived from animals, plants, or their life’s
daily events. During the Spanish occupation, however, Filipino names started to originate from different sources. At
that time, most Filipino parents, adhering to the naming decree promulgated by Governor General Claveria, used
modern naming styles for their children. On the other hand, some families still named their children using traditional
methods. In the case of Rizal, his first name Jose was adopted from the name of a saint, while Rizal, though not his real
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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

last name, was derived from the Spanish word “riccial.” This naming practice – of using two names adopted from well-
known personalities (e.g. saints) or foreign words – is still utilized by many Filipinos up to this day.
According to a report from El Renacimiento (1900), the baptismal name of Rizal is Jose Rizal Mercado. His
complete name though, is Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda. Each component of his name has its own
history.
The name Jose was based on Dona Teodora’s patron sain, Saint Joseph. Back then, as it is today, it was the
practice of Catholics to name a newly born infant after a saint. In fact, a lot of Rizal’s relatives were named Jose
(Gagelonia, 1974). Protasio was taken from the calendar of the Catholic names. In the celebration of Rizal’s first death
anniversary at the Quiapo church a banner with greetings for Rizal revealed his complete baptismal name (El
Renacimiento, 1900). Rizal, his second Spanish surname after Mercado, was derived from the Spanish word riccial
which means “green field.” This surname was given to his family by an alcalde mayor (provincial governor) in Laguna
(Guerrero, 1963). The family preferred to keep Mercado as the family surname except for Jose who used Rizal for his
matriculation in Ateneo Municipal. As he recounted to Dr. Blumentritt, “I am the only Rizal because my parents,
relatives, sisters, and my brother have always preferred our old surname Mercado” (Guerrero, 2011).
Mercado was the first Spanish surname used by Rizal’s family. It was first adopted by Domingo Lam-co, Rizal’s
great-great-grandfather, a Chinese from Fukien. He arrived in Manila in 1760. After converting to Christianity, he
decided to settle in the country for good. He choose Mercado (which literally means “market” in Spanish) as his
Christian surname because it suited his line of work. Like most Chinese immigrants in the country, Lam-co was a local
merchant.
Alonzo was the surname of Rizal’s grandfather on his mother’s side, Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo, a prominent
Spanish-Filipino mestizo from Binan, Laguna.
Realonda was the adopted surname of Dona Teodora from the Spanish surnames approved by the Spanish
government in 1849 (Agoncillo, 1990).

Rizal’s Family
The Mercado family was filled with enthusiasm and excitement upon learning that there would be an addition
to the family. During her pregnancy, Dona Teodora spent most of her time in the church to confess and pray for her
forthcoming child (Bantug, 2008).
Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 (Wednesday) at exactly 11:15 in the evening. Because of the size of Rizal’s
head and the stress brought upon her body by her seventh pregnancy, Dona Teodora almost died after giving birth to
Rizal. Believing that her life was saved by Saint Joseph, her patron saint, Dona Teodora named Rizal after him.

On June 22, 1864, Rizal, then only three days old, was baptized in Calamba. Rizal’s christening was presided by
Fr. Rufino Collantes, the then parish priest of Batangas. A priest named Fr. Pedro Casanas acted as one of Rizal’s
sponsors.

Developmental Exposure
Rizal’s early exposure to the societal conditions of Laguna helped shaped his humanistic values. Witnessing the
oppression of the Filipinos firsthand deeply affected the young Rizal. Moreover, the political atmosphere in the
country, which at times directly affected him and his family, was instrumental in the formation of Rizal’s views on the
Philippine colonial society. It was also in this atmosphere that Rizal learned the values of love, affection, and loyalty
which won him the esteem and admiration of the Filipino people (Romero, 2006).
The childhood of Rizal was a happy one because he was showered by his parents and sbilings with love and
support. The young Rizal was not deprived of all his material needs because his family was rich. He also enjoyed the
company of learned and experienced adults who guided him during his formative years.
In one of his essays, Rizal noted that the children of the affluent families were usually cared for by a nurse or
an aya (yaya or nanny). His aya, Ina Munda, was his playmate at the azotea (Abeto, 1984). As Rizal fondly recalled, his
aya would frighten him with stories about the aswang, nuno, tikbalang, and the humbay every time he misbehaved.
Aside from being reared by an aya, the young Rizal was also exposed to nature – an assortment of fruit-bearing
trees such as atis, tampoy, macopa, casuy, tamarind, and balimbing. While enjoying the shade of trees, the young Rizal
entertained himself by watching birds. Because of those experiences, the young Rizal’s appreciation for nature has
always been greater than that of his contemporaries.
As a boy, Rizal was already blessed with exceptional intellect, talents, and skills. During fiestas, he designed
banners, molded clay figures, pulled off difficult magic tricks, and wrote and performed dramas for the crowd. The
young Rizal was also active in sports. He took up fencing under the guidance of his Uncle Alberto (Villaroel, 1984). And

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

most notably, at eight years-old, he composed one of his most popular poems, Sa Aking Mga kababata which would
prefigure Rizal’s later nationalist ideas.

The Mercado Family

Rizal was fortunate to have been raised in a very good family. The Rizal’s is considered one of the biggest
families during their time. Racially speaking, his family is of Malay origin. From his loving siblings and magnanimous
parents, Rizal learned Filipino traits believed to be derived from the Malay Culture.

The Father
Don Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado was a dignified man who believed in social justice and service to the
people. He was born on May 11, 1818 at Binan, Laguna. The youngest of 13 offsprings of Cirila Alejandro and Juan
Mercado. He was one of the 4th generation of a Chinese immigrant in the late 1600s named Domingo Laruco. He
studied in San Jose College, Manila. Pepe regarded him as “model of fathers”. He was a tenant and also a landowner of
the Dominican state in Calamba, Laguna. He died on January 5, 1898 at the house of his daughter Narcisa shortly after
the execution of his son Jose. Don Francisco was well-liked and greatly respected by the people of Calamba for his
honesty, diligence, and kindness.

The Mother
Dona Teodora Alonso y Quintos was born in Meisic, Manila on November 9, 1827. A native of Sta. Cruz,
Manila. She was disciplinarian, devoted, well-mannered and a diligent mother. She studied Spanish at Colegio de Santa
Rosa. She became a successful businesswoman in Calamba where she owned a general merchandising store. Rizal
considered her a remarkable woman. She demonstrated on how to keep families together despite the turnoil of the
Spanish Regime. She possesses business ability, a refined culture, and admirable religiosity.

The Mercado Siblings

There were 11 Mercado siblings all in all. The first two Saturnina (the eldest) and Paciano (the second eldest),
acted as second parents to the young Rizal. When he returned from his studies abroad, Rizal still considered Paciano
and Saturnina as his second parents. Out of the 11 Mercado Sibilings, there were only two boys: Paciano and Rizal.
The sisters of Rizal were his playmates and companions to church during his childhood days. They influenced the
development of the young Rizal’s values.
Saturnina Mercado Hidalgo was born in 1850. She was fondly called Neneng at home. She was educated at
the La Concordia College in Manila and married to Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanuan, Batangas, with whom she had
five children. As a second mother to the young Rizal, she secretly gave him her blessings to leave for Spain and even
gave him a gold ring. Saturnina told Rizal that he could use it in Europe in case of emergency. She visited Rizal in
Dapitan with Dona Teodora for the last time in Fort Santiago before he was executed. Saturnina passed away in 1913 at
the age of 63.
Paciano Alonzo Mercado was born in 1851. He died in Los Banos, laguna in 1930. Aside from being second
father to Rizal, Paciano also acted as companion, guardian, adviser, and confidant to him. He also intensified the
nationalistic sentiments harbored by Rizal through stories about the martyrdom of Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgo, and
Jacinto Zamora (GomBurZa) in 1872. After Rizal’s execution, he joined the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan. He also
served as major-general in the military force of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo after the revolution. He had a common-law wife,
Severina Decena of Los Banos, with whom he had two children. Paciano was educated in San Jose College and the
University of Santo Tomas. It was noted that he was the favorite student and confidant of Fr. Burgos (Villaroel, 1984).
He gained notoriety among Spanish authorities because of his association with Fr. Burgos. Consequently, he sacrificed
his studies in the University of Santo Tomas because of the treat of capture and incarceration. To protect Rizal from
suffering a similar fate, Paciano decided to send him to Spain and to continue his medical studies there without the
permission of their parents.
Narcisa Mercado Lopez married Antonio Lopez, a school teacher from Morong and a nephew of Fr. Leoncio
Lopez. She was called Nora Sisa at home. She died at the age of 87.
Olympia Mercado Ubaldo married Silvestre Ubaldo with whom she had three children. She died from
childbirth in 1887.
Lucia Mercado Herbosa, the fifth siblings, married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, a nephew of Fr. Casanas. She
died at the age of 30.
Maria Mercado Cruz, the sixth child, married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna. She was called Nora Bian
at home. She died at the age of 86.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Concepcion Mercado was the eight among the Mercado siblings. She was called Concha at home. She did not
live long and died at the age of 3. Her untimely death caused great pain and sorrow to Rizal.
Josefa Mercado was the ninth Mercado siblings. She was called Nora Panggoy at home. She remained
unmarried through her life and died at the age of 80.
Trinidad Mercado was the tenth Mercado siblings and like Jose, she remained single all her life. With Dona
Teodora, she visited Rizal in Fort Santiago before his execution. Before leaving the cell, Rizal gave to her untitled poem
(Mi Ultimo Adios) which he did in an alcohol stove. She was called Nora Trining at home. She died at the age of 83
Soledad Mercado Quintos was the youngest among the siblings. She married Pantaleon Quintos of Calamba.
She was fondly called Nora Choleng at home. She died at the age of 59.

The Hero’s Teacher

The first teacher of Rizal was his mother. He learned the alphabet and prayers at the age of three. As a tutor,
Dona Teodora was patient, conscientious and understanding. She was the first who discovered that her son had a
talent for poetry. She encouraged him to write poems. She related many stories to lighten the monotony of
memorizing the ABC’s and to stimulate her son’s imagination. Rizal poem was “El Amigo De Los Ninos o ang kaibigan ng
mga bata the moth story.
Rizal’s parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home. His first tutor was maestro Celestino.
Maestro Lucas Padua was his second tutor (Arithmetic).
Leon Monroy was a former classmate of Rizal’s father. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed
Rizal in Spanish and Latin. He did not live long and died five months later. After Monroy’s death, the parents of Rizal
decided to send him to a private school in Binan.

The Status of the Mercado Family

The Mercado family was considered one of the more prominent and respected families in Calamba. They
belonged to the class media (middle-class), the highest social status that could be enjoyed by Filipinos at that time,
since most Filipinos were considered second-class citizens by the Spaniards. One gathers (Guerrero, 1963) from Rizal’s
accounts about his boyhood that he was brought up in circumstances that even in present-day Philippines would be
considered privileged.
Together with Spanish officials and land-owning families, most middle-class families during the Spanish era
resided in the principalia. Families who lived in the principalia were considered to be the most influential social class in
the country, with established relations with friars and high-ranking Spanish officials. At a certain point, the Mercado
family belonged to the Ilustrado class (which literally means enlightened”). Most ilustrado families owned big stone
houses, carriages, private libraries with thousands of books, and businesses; could speak Spanish; and send their
children to Manila or Madrid for university education.
Rizal’s parents were also engaged in various business ventures. Don Francsico, on the one hand, managed a
big hacienda owned by the Dominican friars. The farm yielded crops such as suar cane, rice, and corn. In their own
backyard, the family raised pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Dona Teodora, on the other hand, managed the family’s general
goods store, a small flour mill, and a homemade ham business.

Family Values
Although Spanish values and customs were prevalent and pervasive during Rizal’s formative years, his parents
taught him and his siblings mostly Filipino values.
Rizal and his siblings had a close relationship with their parents. Though Don Francisco and Dona Teodora
were strict, Rizal and his siblings were given freedom to play in the azotea. The religiosity of Dona Teodora helped
shape the religious attitude of her children. They were taught to love God, to be prayerful, and to attend mass
regularly. All things considered the 11 children of Don Francisco and Dona Teodora were disciplined, cultured, and
raised according to the standard Filipino values. They were always reminded to behave accordingly at all times, respect
people, and be content with what they had.

IV. Learning Assessment

Answer the following exercises:
1) Give the source and meaning of each name/surname of Rizal.
2) Identify the Mercado’s family members and their roles in the development of his thought and character.
3) Compare the Mercado family and the average Filipino family today.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Scoring Guide:
Each answer shall be evaluated using these criteria:
Content 5 pts.
Organization 3 pts.
Subject Knowledge 2pts.
Originality/Effort 5 pts.
Total score: 15 pts

V. Enrichment Activities/Outputs

Essay: Write an essay in not less than 100 words. (20pts)

Compare the life of Rizal in his early childhood with that of typical children of today.

VI. References

Maranan, R. (2015). Jose Rizal First Global Filipino Hero. Quezon City. C & E Publishing, Inc.

----End of Module 2, Lesson 1----

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