THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

José Rizal's Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso

Realonda.
Rizal's Ancestors
Family, Childhood, and Early
Education
Who is JOSÉ RIZAL?

Jose Rizal was a polymath an

ophthalmologist, writer, and Jose P. Rizal is a mixture of ancestry.
nationalist. His novels "Noli Me His blood is a mixture of East and
Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" West countries - Negrito, Indonesian,
exposed Spanish colonial abuses Malay, Chinese,
Rizal’s PaternalJapanese,
Ancestorsand
and inspired the Philippine Spanish. His ancestry is outlined as
independence movement. Though follows:
he advocated reform, Rizal was
executed at 35, becoming a
martyred national hero whose
legacy continues to inspire Filipinos.
Rizal’s Birth
1. Domingo Lam-co great
grandfather, Rizal's great-
Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Chinese immigrant from Fukien
Laguna on June 19, 1861 City. Changelow, "China's City of
between eleven and twelve Spring". He arrived in Manila in
midnight, a few days before full 1731. He used Mercado which
moon. Although he had a skinny means "market" as his sumame
physique and frail body, his head is because he was a merchant. He
too big which has almost cause his married Ines dela Rosa.
mother's death. On June 22, 1861,
three (3) days after his birth, he was 2. Francisco Mercado, son of
baptized in Calamba Catholic Domingi Lam-co and Ines dela
Church by the parish priest Rev. Rosa. Francisco lived in Binang
Rufino Collantes, a Batangueño (Now Biñan), and married Cirila
priest. Bernacho, a municipal mayor
(gobernadorcillo) of Biñan.
He was named "Jose" in honor of
San Jose (St. Joseph) because her 3. Juan Mercado (Rizal's
mother was a devotee to the saint, grandfather) is married to Cirila
Father Pedro Casañas, a close Alejandro. A Chinese Filipino
friend of the Rizal family stood as Mestiza. Like his father, Juan
Rizal's god father. The baby boy, Mercado was elected thrice as
who was destined to be the greates gobernadorcillo of Biñan.
man and a hero of all times is Jose

1 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

4. Rizal’s
Francisco Mercado
Maternal (Rizal's
Ancestors Claveria in 1849. The purpose of
father), the youngest of the adding or changing a surname is
thirteen (13) childred of Juan easy for identification,
Mercado and Cirila Alejandro. pronunciation, and recollection of
the person's identity. Thus,
Teodora Alonso became Teodora
Alonso Realanda.

In the case of Francisco Mercado

(Rizal's father), he did not like the list
1. Eugenio Ursua, of Japanese of Spanish surnames sent to him. He
ancestry, was Rizal's maternal chose his own surname - Rizal - which
great-great grandfather, Rizal's is Spanish is "Ricial". He believed that
mother, Teodora descended his surname Rizal is more fitting for
from Lakan-dula, the last native his farming clan Family
Rizal’s than "Mercado".
king of Tondo. Eugenio Ursua Rizal or "racial" in English means
married Benigna (surname "greenfield" or "new pasture".
unknown). However, Rizal was the only child who
used Rizal, as his surname because
2. Regina, the daughter of there are many Mercado's in the
Eugenio Ursua and Benigna. She Philippines who are not related to the
married Manuel de Quintos, a Mercado's in Calamba. His parents
Filipino Chinese lawyer of brother, sisters and relatives,
Pangasinan but became a however, preferred to use the old
prominent lawyer in Manila. surname Mercado.

3. Brigida, one of the daughters

of Eugenio Ursua and Benigna,
married Engr. Lorenzo Alberto
Alonso, a prominent Spanish- Rizal's family belong to the pricipales,
Filipino mestizo of Biñan. He a town consisting in Spanish
was awarded by Spain the Philippines. It is one of the riches and
"Knight of Grand Order of distinguished families in Calamba
Isabela the Church." they had during those times, Because of
five (5) children namely: frugality and industry, the family was
Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal's able to build large stone house and
mother), Gregorio, Manuel and bought four more different different
Jose. The children of Brigida and size.
Alberto adopted the family
name "Realonda" family from a The family was able to own a horse-
list of Spanish surnames drawn carriage (caruaje), a big home
provided by Governor Narciso library consisting of more than 1,000

2 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

volumes and general goods store in  hardworking and independent-

the town, operated a small flour-mill minded, talked less, but worked
and a home made ham press. more
 strong in body and valiant in
In addition, to farming rice, corn, spirit
and sugarcane, the family also  died in Manila on January 5,
raised pigs, chicken, turkeys in their 1898 at the age of 80.
back ground. Because the Rizal
family was considered as illustrados
or affluence, the children were able Teodora Alonso Realonda, the
to studyRizal’s Parents
in exclusive schools in Mother of Jose Rizal
Manila, During holidays, town-
fiestas, Christmas seasons, and  born in Santa Cruz, Manila on
other big occasions, Doña Teodora November 14, 1827
was gracious host to all visitors  studied at the Colegio de Santa
priests, alferez (lieutenant of the Rosa, a college exclusively for
Guardia Civil), Spanish officials, girls, in Manila
Filipinos and guests irrespective of  second child of Lorenzo Alonso
andThe RizaldeChildren
Brigida Quintos
color, social position and economic
status. These visitors were treated  a remarkable woman,
equally with all courtesy and possessing a refined culture;
hospitality. Such wholesome home courteous, religious, and well-
bred a wholesome family the Rizal read
family.  possessed literary talent and
business ability with strong
character like a Spartan woman
 a woman of more than ordinary
culture because she knows
Francisco Mercado, the Father of literature and speaks Spanish
Rizal. well.
 good in rhetoric, a
 Born in April 18, 1818 at mathematician, and a wide
Binang (now Binan city), reader
Laguna  died in Manila on August 16,
 Youngest of 13 offspring of 1913 at the age of 85
Juan and Cirila Alejandro shortly before her death the
Mercado government offered her a life
 moved from Binan to pension, but she rejected in
Calamba and became a favor of reducing the taxes
tenant of the Dominican- collected from people
owned hacienda

3 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Don Francisco Mercado and Teodora Christian burial because he was a

Alonso were blessed with eleven brother in-law of Dr. Jose Rizal.
(11) children
6. Maria (1859-1945) She was
1. Saturnina (1850-1913) She married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of
was the eldest of the Rizal Binan, Laguna. Her nickname is
children. Her husband was "Biang"
Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of
Tanauan, Batangas. Her 7. Jose (1861-1896) - He was
nickname is "Neneng". considered as the "lucky seven" in
the family. He lived with Josephine
2. Paciano (1851-1930) - He was Bracken, a pretty Irish girl from
the older brother of Dr. Jose P. Hongkong. Rizal had a son by her
Rizal. He studied at San Jose by the name of "Francisco' who
College in Manila. After the was named after his father, but
execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, he died hours after birth and was
joined the Spanish-Philippine buried in Dapitan. Rizal's
Revolution and became a nickname is Pepe"
general. After the Revolution, he
retired to his farm and became 8. Concepcion (1862-1865) Died
a farmer in Los Banos. He died at the age of three because of
an old bachelor though he has a illness. Her death was the first
common-law wife, Severina sorrow of Rizal. Her pet name is
Decena. They had two children "Concha".
boy and a girl.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939) she was 9. Josefa (1865-1945) - She
married to Antonio Lopez, (a remained single, an epileptic, and
nephew of Father Leoncio old maid. Her pet name is
Lopez) a school teacher of "Panggoy". She died at the age of
Morong, Rizal. Her pet name is 80.
"Sisa".
10. Trinidad (1868-1951) like
4. Olympia (1855-1887) She was Josefa, she died an old maid at the
married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a age of 83. Her pet name is
telegraph operator from Manila, "Trining".
her nickname is "Ypia".
11. Soledad (1870-1929) She was
5. Lucia (1857-1919) She was the youngest of the Rizal children.
married to Matriano Herbosa of She married Pantaleon Quintero of
Calamba. Herbosa died of Calamba. He pet name is
cholera in 1889 and was denied "Choleng".

4 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

prompt response was that he liked to

watch the people.

Even in his childhood, Rizal already

Jose was designed by nature to be knew how to respect the rights of
an artist. This he revealed before he others. and requested his elders to
was five years of age, for without reason with him rather than get mad
any assistance from others he at him for small offenses. He became
began to draw with his pencil and to a welcome companion for adults even
mould in wax or clay any object he at his young age since he respected
saw about him. Fortunately, his their moods and was never a
mother, father, and uncles hindrance to their activities.
recognized this unusual talent and
gave him every encouragement. The childhood of Jose Rizal can be
characterized by his desire to learn,
There was also a time when Rizal Rizal's
even Early Childhood
frequenting the churchYears
nearby
was able to draw a bird flying his home to watch and observe
nearby without lifting the pencil, he people but not to be religiously
was using from the paper till the inclined. Jose Rizal was not a
picture he drew was finished. He physically blessed or strong child
can also draw a running horse and a however, he had a strong will guided
chasing dog. Jose Rizal also owned a and taught by his mother, his fig
pony and used it to have long rides teacher.
into the surrounding country which
was rich in scenery. He also took He leamed almost without the use of
long walks together with his big books. His mother was the one who
black dog named Usman. He also laid the foundation of his great
loved to play with the doves in his knowledge achieved in such a short
neighborhood. He learned about the time. His brilliance was also the
myths and legends in Laguna after character of the young Jose Rizal.
sleeping through the nut in a little
straw hut used by Laguna farmers Three uncles who were brothers of
during the harvest season. Rizal his mother also had much influence
was also good in hand tricks which on the early childhood of Jose Rizal.
he perfected to amaze the simple The youngest uncle named Jose, took
folk and performed magic lantern care of teaching regular lessons to
exhibitions. Rizal. His huge uncle Manuel
developed his physique until he had a
The little boy spent also much of his body of silk and steel and no longer a
time in the church, which was skinny and sickly boy. The last uncle,
conveniently when the mother Gregorio instilled in the mind of Rizal
suggested that this might be an that it was not easy to obtain
indication of religious inclination, his something until you put effort into it.

5 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

2. Doña Teodora was falsely

accused of attempting to
poison her brother José
Alberto's unfaithful wife. The
malicious charge had a
tremendous impact on Rizal's
1. He loved to climb fruit trees in life, as the case was filed in
their backyard where he spent court despite
Happiest Days Doña Teodora's
of Rizal in
his leisure time. efforts to reconcile
Calamba could be the couple
2. From his nipa cottage built by and avoid family
summarized as scandal.
follows:
his father, he loved to watch the
fowls, birds, and the plants in 3. The Cavite uprising in 1872-
the garden. a protest among the laborers at
3. From his azotea, he watched the the Cavite Arsenal against the
moon in the sky after the nightly withdrawal of their privilege of
rosary. exemption from tribute and
4. At nightfall, he joined his sisters personal services. Fathers,
and parents to pray the daily Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora
Angelus. were executed at sunrise on
5. He used to take a walk during February 17, 1872 by order of
moonlight night in the town by Governor Beneral Izquierdo
the river and lakes accompanied despite the plea of clemency by
by his aya (maid) Ina Munda. the Archbishop. They were
6. He loved to listen to his aya accused as instigators and
telling stories about fairies, leaders of the uprising/revolt.
imaginary tales, legends, and
folklores. 4. The harsh treatment Rizal's
7. At the age of three, he goes townmates had to endure at
with his mother to the church to the hands of Spanish guardia
take part in novena and join the civil. They were struck by
religious procession. bayonets by the guardia civil
for failure to bow at them
properly and for passing by
them without doffing off their
hats.
Sorrows and Tragedies in
1. The untimely death of his Rizal's
5. The rude Life to children
treatment
younger sister Concepcion and women.
(Concha) at the age of three,
was Rizal's first sorrow. Rizal
was very fond of his sister.

6 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Rizal was born in 1861 in the town of

Early Education at Calamba
Calamba, Laguna. As a child, he
received his early education in Biñan,
where his mother's family lived. In
He learned at the age of three the
Biñan, Rizal attended a private school
alphabet, and prayers from his
run by Maestro Justiniano Aquino
patient and conscientious and
Cruz, known as a strict but effective
understanding mother.
teacher. Rizal excelled academically
He learned how to read and write at the Biñan school, showing great
from his tutor, Maestro Celetino aptitude in subjects like Spanish,
and second tutor, Maestro Lucas Latin, philosophy, and the natural
Padua. The third tutor was Leon sciences. He also developed his
Monroy, an old man who was artistic talents, learning to paint,
Rizal's father classmate. Monroy draw, and play the piano and
lived at the Rizal's house and taught bandurria.
Rizal Spanish and Latin but died five
Rizal's time in Biñan laid the
(5) months later.
foundation for his later intellectual
Rizal used to visit Father Leoncio accomplishments. The rigorous
Lopez,
Rizalthe
at town parish
Ateneo andpriest,
UST to education he received from Maestro
listen to the stimulating opinions of Aquino Cruz helped cultivate Rizal's
the priest on current events and keen analytical mind and love of
sound philosophy of life. leaming, which would serve him well
throughout his life. Biñan was where
On the many stories told by Doña Rizal's remarkable abilities first began
Teodora to Jose, the tragic fate of to emerge and be nurtured.
the young moth left a deep
impress/impact on Rizal's mind that
to sacrifice one's life is worthwhile.

Rizal's three (3) uncles played a

great part in the early education of
First Year Term (1872-1873)
Rizal. Gregorio, who was a lover of InRizal's Life was
1872, Rizal andsentEducation
to Manilainfor
books taught Rizal the love for further schooling. He initially took the
Biñan
books, to work hard, to think for entrance exam at the College of San
himself, and to observe life keenly. Juan de Letran, but was instead
enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal (later
Ateneo de Manila) after some
persuasion. At Ateneo, Rizal boarded
with a spinster named Titay. The
Jesuit education system at Ateneo
emphasized religious instruction,

7 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

physical culture, humanities, and working on paintings, sketches and

sciences. Students were divided into writings. Importantly, the summer
two rival groups, the "Romans" and also provided an opportunity for Rizal
"Carthaginians", who competed for to reconnect with his family and
academic supremacy. Rizal quickly community in Calamba. He helped on
rose to become the top student in the family farm and participated in
his class, winning his first academic local traditions, experiences that
prize within a month. shaped his worldview. This balance of
scholarly pursuits and community
engagement would define Rizal's
approach throughout hise life.
Second Year Term (1873-
1874)

During his second-year term, some

of his classmates were new at Biñan
under Maestro Cruz. At first, he Third Year Term (1874-1875)
neglected his studies because he
At the opening of the school year in
was offended by his remarks of his
June 1874, her mother arrived and
teachers but regained his lost class
joyously told him that she was
leadership and again became again
released from prison and Rizal's
an "emperor".
prediction became true.
At the end of the school year, he
Despite the family happiness, Rizal
received excellent grades in all
did not make an excellent showing
subjects and two gold medals-one in
unlike in the previous year. Though he
Topography and another in
was excellent in all the subjects, he
Agriculture. He was later to qualify
won one medal in Latin. He did not
as a surveyor and expert assessor.
win the medal in Spanish. He was
He returned to Calamba in March
beaten by a Spanish student who
1874. for the summer vacation.
could naturally speak Spanish.

By the end of March 1875, he

Summer Vacation returned to Calamba for a summer
vacation.
After his successful second year at
the Ateneo, Rizal returned home to
Calamba for summer vacation in
1874. This break allowed him to Fourth Year Term (1876-1877)
continue his independent studies in He retumed to Manila in June 1876 for
subjects like medicine, philosophy his fourth-year term
and science. Rizal also dedicated
time to honing his artistic talents,

8 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

He finished his last term in Bachelor

of Arts and obtained the highest
grades (excellent 97 to 100%) in all
subjects Philosophy, Biology,
Chemistry, Languages, Mineralogy,
Zoology, etc.

He graduated as a Valedictorian in a
Commencement Day held on March
23, 1877. He was only nearly 16
years old

9 THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL