Jose Rizal's FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD Grandmother: Brijida de Quintos

Rizal's Birth Rizal's Family

• Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, • Affections are shared among family
Laguna members
• Frail at birth but with a notably large head • Firm believers in the adage “spare the rod,
• Baptized on June 22, 1861, at Calamba spoil the child”
Catholic Church, by Rev. Father Rufino • As Catholics, they are courteous, religious,
Collantes and hospitable
• Named “José” in honor of Saint Joseph • Belong to the Principilia
• Father Pedro Casañas was his godfather • Built a large stone house, and bought
• Full name: José Protacio Rizal Mercado another one
y Alonso Realonda. • Owned a stagecoach and a library
Nicknamed: Pepe • The children went to college in Manila

FAMILY TREE AND ANCESTRY Rizal’s Parents

Rizal's ANCESTORS Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y
Rizal’s Ancestors: Father Side Alejandra II
Great-Great Doña Teodora Morales Alonso y Quintos
Grandfather: Domingo Lam-co
• Full-blooded Chinese from Amoy, Rizal’s Father: Francisco Mercado
China •Born on May 11, 1818 at Biñan,Laguna
• Arrived in Manila in about 1690 •Youngest of 13 offspring of Juan Mercado
• Assumed surname of Mercado and Cirila Alejandro
(market in English) in 1731 •Fourth generation of a Chinese immigrant
• A merchant named Domingo Lamco
• Studied Latin and philosophy at Colegio de
Great-Great Grandmother: Ines de la Rosa San Jose in Manila
• Chinese Christian girl of Manila • Elected Cabeza de Barangay, or head of
Great Grandfather:Francisco Mercado the Barangay
• Son of Domingo Mercado and Ines de la • Dominican state tenant and landowner
Rosa • Built a stone house in the town
• Resided in Biñan center
• Elected as Gobernadorcillo of Biñan • Evicted from his house in September 1890
Great Grandmother:Cirila Bernacha due to his failure in the agrarian case
• Chinese-Filipino Mestiza • Died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the
age of 80
Grandfather:Juan Mercado • Jose Rizal considered him to be a “model
• One of the sons of Francisco and Cirila of fathers”
Mercado • Strong-willed, educated, and
• Also elected as Gobernadorcillo Of Biñan independent-minded

Grandmother: Cirila Alejandro Rizal’s Mother: Teodora Alonso Realonda

• Chinese-Filipino mestiza •Born in Meisik, Tondo, Manila on
• Had 13 children with Juan Mercado November 9, 1827
Rizal’s Ancestors: Mother Side • 2nd child of Lorenzo Alonso (Philippine
Great-Great Grandfather:Eugenio Ursua delegate to the Cortes) and Brigida de
• Of Japanese Ancestry Quintos
•Studied at the College of Santa Rosa
Great-Great Grandmother: Benigna •A remarkable woman, with refined culture,
(surname unknown) literary talent, business acumen, and the
• Filipina tenacity of Spartan women
•Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the
Great Grandfather:Atty. Manuel age of 85, in her home at San Fernando
de Quintos Street in Binondo
• Filipino-Chinese lawyer • Shortly before her death, the government
• From Pangasinan offered her a life pension, but she rejected
Great Grandmother:Regina Ursua in favor of reducing the taxes collected from
• Daughter of Eugenio and Benigna Ursua people
• Mixed Spanish, Chinese and Filipino Blood Jose Rizal’s Siblings
● Dona Saturnina
Grandfather:Lorenzo Alberto Alonso ● Narcisa
• Prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo of ● Paciano
Biñan ● Olimpia
● Lucia Rizal’s Sibling: Lucia (1857-1919)
● Josefa • Fifth child
● Concepcion • Married to Mariano Herbosa, but he died in
● Maria 1889 due to an epidemic, and was denied a
● Trinidad Christian burial because he was Jose’s
● Soledad brother-in-law
• Had five children
Rizal’s Sibling: Saturnina (1850-1913)
• Eldest sibling of Rizal Rizal’s Sibling: Maria (1859-1945)
• Nicknamed “Neneng” • Sixth child
• Attended La Concordia College in Santa • Married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan,
Ana, Manila Laguna and had five children
• Married to Manuel Hidalgo of Tanauan, • Mauricio Cruz (Maria’s son) became a
Batangas student of Jose in Dapitan and was known
• Published Pascual Poblete’s Tagalog to be one of Jose’s favorites
translation of Noli Me Tangere in 1909
• Passed away in 1913 at the age of 63 Rizal’s Sibling: Concepcion (1862-1865)
• Eighth child
Rizal’s Sibling: Paciano (1851-1930) • Nicknamed “Concha”
•Second child and older brother of Dr. • Died at the age of 3
Jose P. Rizal
•Commonly referred to as “Ciano” Rizal’s Sibling: Josefa (1865-1945)
•Studied Latin with Maestro Justiniano • Ninth child
Cruz prior to enrolling at the Colegio de San • Unmarried and lived with Trinidad until
Jose in Manila death
•Jose referred to him as “Ulo” • Suffered from epilepsy
•An ardent and dynamic Katipunero
•People thought he was Pilosopong Tasio in Rizal’s Sibling: Trinidad (1868-1951)
Noli Me Tangere • Tenth child
•His dear friend Jose Taviel de Andrade said • Unmarried and shared a home with Josefa
that whenever he thinks of him, he is more • Outlived all of her siblings
generous than today’s Spaniards • Received an alcohol lamp from Jose in
•Apprehended by American forces in 1900 which he secretly hid the “Last Farewell,”
as a result of his involvement as military aka “Mi Ultimos Adios,” a poem Jose wrote
commander of the Revolutionary forces in on the eve of his death
Laguna
• Led a simple life as a farmer prior to hisdeath Rizal’s Sibling: Soledad (1870-1929)
•Married his common-law wife, Severina • Youngest of the Rizal children
Decena and had two children • Married Pantaleon Quintero and had five
•Died of tuberculosis at the age of 79 children

Rizal’s Sibling: Narcisa (1852-1939) Rizal’s Sisters

• Third child • Did not hold important government
• Nicknamed “Sisa” positions
• Supported Jose’s studies • Largely responsible for the family’s unity
• Could narrate Jose’s poems • There was never a resistant voice in the
• Married to Antonio Lopez, a teacher and family despite the fact that they were
musician deported and persecuted
• Visited Jose in prison the day before his • The care and attention that they lavished
execution on December 30, 1896 on Jose are difficult to match
• Searched for Rizal’s remains
Rizal’s Brother
Rizal’s Sibling: Olimpia (1855-1887) • Took on the role of Jose’s second father
• Fourth child • Accompanied Jose to his first day of
• Nicknamed “Ypia” school in Biñan
• Married to Silvestre Ubaldo,a telegraph • Persuaded Jose to pursue higher
operator from Manila education in Europe and sent him allowance
• Jose describes her as his stout sister Rizal’s Early Childhood Years• He was designed by
• Her schoolmate at La Concordia College, nature to be an artist.
Segunda Katigbak, was Jose’s first love Years
and served as their mediator • He loves animals.
• He learned myths and legends.
• He is good at hand tricks.
• He spent much of his time in the church. properly and for passing by them without
• He knows how to respect the rights of doffing off their hats.
others. 5. The rude treatment to children and
• The childhood of Jose Rizal can be women
characterized by his desire to learn. ● These
• Three uncles Jose, Manuel and Gregorio sorrows, injustices and
who were brothers of his mother also had atrocities committed by the Spanish
much influence on the early childhood of authorities though isolated, served
Jose Rizal. as an eye-opener that influenced
Rizal in setting the direction and goal
Rizal's HAPPIEST DAYS IN CALAMBA of his life.
Rizal’s Happiest Days in
Calamba
1. Climbing Trees RIZAL’S EARLY EDUCATION
2. Observing Nature AND TRAGEDIES OF RIZAL’S YOUNG LIFE
3. Admiring the Moon
4. Family Prayers FIRST TEACHER
5. Moonlit Walks TEODORA ALONZO
6. Listening to Stories ● She is the first teacher and protector
7. Religious Devotion of Jose Rizal.
● She has a greatest influence in
Rizal's SORROWS AND TRAGEDIES shaping
1. The death of Rizal's younger sister ● Rizal’s knowledge and skills
Concepcion especially his development as a
• Conception died when she was only 3 and person.
it was Rizal's first sorrow. Rizal was very ● She is the one who taught Rizal on
fond of his sister. how to read and write and most
importantly she is the one who
2. The arrest and incarceration of opened Rizal’s eyes and heart to the
Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora importance of learning or education.
• Doña Teodora was arrested and was Dona Teodora's Storytelling
forced to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz ● She often read to young José Rizal
(Capital of Laguna), a distance of 50 from Amigo de los Niños (The
kilometers. Children's Friend).
• She was imprisoned and stayed in prison ● She used storytelling to teach life
for two and a half year until the lessons, including obedience.
Manila Royal Audencia
(Supreme Court) acquitted her of the Setting of the Story
alleged crime ● Rizal grew up in Kalamba, where
• Rizal's mother was defended by two kerosene lamps and carriages were
famous lawyers of Manila, Attorney unknown.
Francisco De Mercado and Attorney Manuel ● Homes were dimly lit by coconut oil
Marzan. lamps.

3. The Cavite uprising in 1872 Learning to Read

Tragedies ● Rizal struggled with reading Spanish
• A protest among the laborers at the Cavite due to a lack of understanding.
Arsenal against the withdrawal of their ● His mother scolded him for drawing
privilege of exemption from tribute and in the book but then read to him.
personal services. ● She had a talent for reciting and
• Fathers, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora correcting poetry.
were executed at sunrise on February 17,
1872 by order of Governor Beneral The Story of the Moth
Izquierdo despite the plea of clemency by ● Dona Teodora read the fable of the
the archbishop. They were accused as young and old moth.
instigators and leaders of the uprising/revolt. ● She translated it into Tagalog for
better understanding.
● She emphasized the moral lesson
4. The harsh treatment Rizal's about
townmates at the hands of Spanish obedience.
Guardia civil.
•They were struck by bayonets by the Rizal’s Reaction
Guardia civil for failure to bow at them ● Instead of fearing the moth’s fate,
Rizal was fascinated by how former tutelage of Paciano.
beautiful the light was • “He was tall, thin, long-necked, with sharp
● He admired the moth for following nose and a body slightly bent forward, and
its desire, even though it died. he used to wear a sinamay shirt, woven by
● His mother wanted to teach him the skilled hands of the women of Batangas.
about obedience, but he took a He knew by heart the grammars of Nebrija
different lesson from the story. and Gainza. Add to this his severity that in
A Lasting Lesson my judgement was exaggerated and you
● Even as an adult, Rizal still believed have a picture, perhaps vague, that I have
in the idea of following one's made of him, but I
dreams, even if it meant taking risks. • José was given his seat in the class right
● This belief influenced his dedication away. He was asked by his teacher:
to fighting for his country’s freedom. “Do you know Spanish?”
ADDED INFO “A little, sir.” the Calambeño lad replied.
Influenced by his uncles Jose Alberto “Do you know Latin?”
(sketching, sculpture and painting). “A little, sir.”
Gregorio (reading), Manuel (martial arts). José’s responses were met with laughter
from the boys in the class, particularly from
RIZAL'S PRIVATE TUTORS Pedro, the teacher’s son.
Maestro Celestino
• the first private tutor of Rizal RIZAL'S FIRST SCHOOL FIGHT
• taught Rizal on how to read, write, and • In afternoon of his first day in school, when
speak Latin and Spanish the teacher was having his siesta, Jose met
Maestro Lucas Padua the bully, Pedro.
• the second tutor of Rizal • Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. The
• Also taught Rizal on how to read, write, latter readily accepted, thinking that he
and speak Spanish and Latin could easily beat the Calamba boy who was
Leon Monroy smaller and younger.
• former father classmate of Rizal's • The two boys wrestled furiously in the
• He taught Rizal Spanish and Latin classroom, much to the glee of their
• he also developed the skills, behavior, classmates. Jose, having learned the art of
and attitude of Rizal wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel,
• After 5 months he passed [Link] FORMAL E defeated the bigger boy. For this feat, he
D U C AT I O N became popular among his classmates.
I N B I Ñ A N , L AG U N A • Also, Andres Salandanan, a classmate.
challenged him to an arm-wrestling match
RIZAL GOES TO BIÑAN after class in the afternoon. They went to a
• One Sunday afternoon in June , 1869, a house's sidewalk and fought. He had more
nine years old Jose, left Calamba for Biñan. fights with the Binan boys in the days that
• He was accompanied by Paciano , who followed. He wasn't a quarrelsome person
acted as his second father. by nature, but he never shield away from a
• The two brothers rode in a carromata, fight.
reaching their destination after one and
one-half hours’ drive. RIZAL'S DAILY ROUTINE
• It was almost nighttime when they reached • Attend mass at 4AM or studies • Goes
the house of their Tía Tomasa Mercado, home at 5PM lesson before going to mass •
where the younger Rizal was to stay for the Plays with cousins
duration of his studies. • Goes to orchard to look for
• José went for a walk around town with • Study lessons and then mabolo to eat
Leandro on his first night in Biñán. Rather draw a little
than enjoying his first stroll through town, he • Breakfast
grew unhappy due to homesickness. “I • Pray if there was a moon
remembered my hometown, my revered • Goes to class
mother, and my solicitous sisters in the • Play in the street if moon is
moonlight,” he wrote. • Lunch break bright
• Go back to school at 2PM
RIZAL'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
• Paciano took his younger brother to the BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL
school of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. • In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan
• The school was located at the teacher’s boys. He surpassed them all in Spanish,
house, a small nipa hut about 30 meters Latin, and other subjects.
away from the house of Rizal’s aunt. • Some of his older classmates were jealous
• Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz is the of his intellectual superiority.
•They squealed at the teacher whenever He handles parishes in Marikina, Pasig, and
Jose got into a fight outside the school they Batangas.
even told lies to discredit him in front of the The secularization movement in the
teacher's eyes. As a result, the teacher was Philippines began with a royal decree in
forced to punish Jose. Jose had a keen 1774, opening up clergy posts to native
sense of observation and a vivid priests. The same movement enabled the
imagination three priests to lead their respective
parishes. This shift, however, created
He visited his hometown every now and tension, as Spanish friars, or regulares,
then while studying in Binan. The road to his viewed Filipino secular priests as threats to
home in Calamba appeared to be long, but their authority and influence over the
it became shorter during his return. When Church andcolonial society. Filipino priests were
he saw the roof of his house from afar, he often
felt a surge of joy. excluded from significant roles and faced
How he looked for excuses to stay at home discrimination. Amidst this struggle, Father
longer! A day more seemed like a day spent Jose Burgos emerged as a key figure,
in heaven to him and how he sobbed quietly boldly advocating for the rights of Filipino
and secretly when he saw the calese that clergy to lead parishes.
was there. Then everything seemed sad; a
flower he touched, a stone that caught his WHAT HAPPENED DURING CAVITE
eye, he gathered, afraid he wouldn't see it MUTINY?
again when he returned. He was possessed ⚬ Governor General Rafael Izquierdo
by a sad but delicate and quiet pain. revoked workers' exemptions from paying
tribute and forced labor.
During Rizal's early education, two ⚬ A mutiny was formed and about 200
disheartening events drew his attention and mutineers, led by Fernando La Madrid,
disturbed him: the execution of the priests seized Fort San Felipe.
(Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) and the ⚬ They captured seven Spanish officers
imprisonment of her mother. before the mutiny was suppressed within
two days.
THE IMPRISONMENT OF ⚬ The Spanish government arrested both
DOÑA TEODORA mutineers and even unrelated individuals.
Doña Teodora was charged and imprisoned ⚬ The Spanish government used the Cavite
for two years without trial for falsehoods Mutiny to target secular priests advocating
leveled against her, she was accused of for Filipino clergy leadership.
attempting to poison her sister-in-law. ⚬ They falsely accused GOMBURZA of
In an effort to humiliate her and extend her instigating the Cavite Mutiny.
punishment, the Guardia Civil forced Doña ⚬ Evidence was fabricated, and a witness,
Teodora to walk 50 kilometers around Francisco Saldua, was said to have been
Laguna. Then, they put her in prison without bribed to implicate them.
trial. This happened in the 1870s when Jose ⚬ The priests were sentenced to death by
Rizal was 11 years old. Doña Teodora was garrote.
around 45. • Execution Date: February 17, 1872, at
Bagumbayan (modern-day Luneta Park).
THE DEATH OF GOMBURZA ⚬ A large crowd gathered to witness the
PADRE MARIANO GOMEZ execution.
Born: August 2, 1799 ⚬ Saldua, the false witness, was executed
Education: Colegio de San Juan de Letran; first.
University of Santo Tomas ⚬ Father Gomez: Calmly accepted his fate,
He was designated as the head priest of saying, "Father, I know that a leaf falls to the
Bacoor, Cavite. ground except by the will of God. His holy
PADRE JOSE BURGOS will be done because He desires that I die
Born: February 9, 1873 here."
Education: Colegio de San Juan de Letran; Father Zamora: Appeared disoriented and
University of Santo Tomas stood motionless.
He served at Manila Cathedral and a vocal Father Burgos: Protested his innocence,
advocate for secularization. asking, "What crime have I committed? Is it
A close friend, associate, and mentor of is it possible that I will die in this manner? Is
Paciano Rizal, Jose Rizal'solder brother. there no justice on this planet?"
PADRE JACINTO ZAMORA Y DEL ⚬ The death of GOMBURZA awakened the
ROSARIO Filipinos with a new realization:
Born: August 14, 1835 LIBERAL NOTIONS OF EQUALITY AND
Education: Colegio de San Juan de Letran HUMAN DIGNITY COULD NO LONGER
THRIVE UNDER COLONIAL REGIME. as the cultivation of arts and
⚬ Rizal saw how this tragic event affected established vocational courses in
his parents and his brother, Paciano. agriculture,commerce
⚬ Rizal's second novel, El Filibusterismo, and
was dedicated to the three martyr priests. mechanics.
Jesuits Systems of Education
Students were divided into two groups:
Rizal’s Higher Education and Life ● Roman Empire (Internos)
Abroad:First Travels to First ● Carthaginian Empire(Externos)
Homecoming Each empire had its rank. Students fought
for position, with 3 mistake,opponents could
Ateneo de Municipal Experience lose his position.
On his first day in Manila: 1st Best: Emperor
● Jose was accompanied by Paciano 2nd Best:Tribune
Took the entrance examination of Colegiode San 3rd Best: Decurion
Juan de Letran and passed :4th Best: Centurion
● Jose and Paciano returned to :5thBest:Standard-Bearer
Calamba. First professor in Ateneo was Father Jose
● Don Francisco who initially planned Bech.
forRizal to attend Letran changed his ● Was placed at the bottom of the
mind and enrolled him in Ateneo. class since he was a newcomer and
Paciano once again accompanied Jose to knows little Spanish
Manila Where he enrolled at Ateneo de ● He was an externo, occupying the
Municipal end of the line
Ateneo Municipal ● At the end of the month he became
Father Magin Fernando, the school emperor of his empire
registrar,initially refused to admit him due to: First Year in Ateneo(1872-1873)
1. late registration Jose Bech was described as tall, an ascetic
2. [Link], sickly appearance (for his physiognomy, severe with sunken eyes and
age) sharp Grecian nose.
Jose Rizal was finally admitted due to the He was a bit of a lunatic with a sporadic
intervention of Manuel Xerez Burgos, the sense of humor. At times he was harsh and
nephew of Father Jose Burgos. intolerant and at other he was gay and
Jesuits playful as a child
● Regarded as the best educators Jose
inSpain. ● brightest pupil in the whole class,
● When they were allowed to the ● awarded a prize, a religious prize
Philippines after they were expelled, ● took private lessons in Santa Isabel
their privilege of founding schools College During noon recesses toimprove his
were limited. Spanish Language
● When they were granted permission paying Php 3.00 for extra lessons.
to build a school, they named it the Summer Vacation (1873)
Ateneo Municipal ● Rizal returned home for the summer
● They first opened its doors in1865 vacation in March 1873.
A candidate for admission had to pass an ● He visited Doña Teodora in prison
entrance examination inChristian doctrine, and told her about his excellent
reading,writing, grammar and elementary grades.
arithmetic. ● After summer, he returned to Manila
● Jose adopted the surname Rizal and boarded at No. 6 Magallanes
because Mercado had come under Street, Intramuros.
suspicion ● His landlady was Doña Pepay, a
of widow with a daughter and four
the sons.
Spanish Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)
Authorities ● Rizal received excellent grades in all
● Ateneo was located within the walls subjects and a gold medal.
of Intramuros ● Books that influenced him:
● Jose Rizal boarded in a house ○ The Count of Monte Cristo by
onCarballo Street in Sta Cruz Alexander Dumas: The story
● Jesuits trained the character of the of a prisoner in Chateau d'If,
student by rigid discipline,humanities which reminded him of the
and religious instruction; where they injustice done to his mother.
incorporated physical culture as well ○ Travels in the Philippines by
Dr. Feodor Jagor: Predicted (And He is Spanish: Elcano,
the Philippines would fall the First to Circumnavigate
under American influence in the World)
the future. 4. El Combate: Urbiztondo,
Third Year in Ateneo (1874-1875) Terror de Jolo (The Battle:
● Rizal maintained excellent grades Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
but won only one medal. ● 1876:
● At the end of the school year (March 1. La Tragedia de San
1875), he returned to Calamba for Eustaquio (The Tragedy of
summer vacation. St. Eustace)
● He was not impressed by his 2. Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In
scholastic work. Memory of My Town)
Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876) 3. Alianza Íntima Entre la
● June 16, 1875: Rizal became an Religión y la Buena
interno (boarding student). Educación (Intimate Alliance
● He topped all his classmates in all Between Religion and Good
subjects and won five medals. Education)
● Inspired by Father Francisco de 4. Por la Educación Recibe
Paula Sanchez, a great educator Lustre la Patria (Through
and scholar described as a "model Education the Country
of uprightness, earnestness, and Receives Light)
love for the advancement of his 5. El Cautiverio Y El Triunfo:
pupils." Batalla de Lucena y Prisión
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877) de Boabdil (The Captivity
● Recognized as the most brilliant and the Triumph: Battle of
Atenean of his time and the pride of Lucena and the
the Jesuits. Imprisonment of Boabdil)
● March 23, 1877: Graduated with the 6. La Entrada Triunfal de los
highest honor, earning a Bachelor of Reyes Católicos en Granada
Arts degree from Ateneo Municipal (The Triumphal Entry of the
at age 16. Catholic Monarchs into
● He proudly offered his excellent Granada)
ratings and medals to his parents in ● 1877:
gratitude for their sacrifices and love. 1. El Heroismo de Colon (The
Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo Heroism of Columbus)
● Member of the Academy of Spanish 2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus
Literature and the Academy of and John II)
Natural Sciences. 3. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor
● Studied painting under Agustin Saez Desdicha (Great Solace in
and sculpture under Romualdo de Great Misfortune)
Jesus.● Continued physical training under 4. Un Diálogo Alusivo a la
Tio Manuel (gymnastics and Despedida de los Colegiales
fencing). (A Farewell Dialogue of theStudents)
● Joined the Marian Congregations University
(Sodality of Our Lady and of Santo Tomas (UST)
Apostleship of Prayer), where he Experience (1877-1882)
served as secretary. ● Rizal was unsure which course to
Literary Pieces Rizal Wrote in Ateneo take. The Jesuits suggested farming
● 1874: or priesthood, but he was drawn to
1. Mi Primera Inspiración (My law, literature, and medicine.
First Inspiration) ● He initially enrolled in Philosophy
2. Al Niño Jesús (To the Child and Letters because:
Jesus) 1. It was his father’s preference.
3. A La Virgen María (To the 2. He did not consult Father
Virgin Mary) Ramon Pablo, the rector of
● 1875: Ateneo.
1. Felicitacion (Felicitations) ● Subjects included:
2. El Embarque: Himno A la 1. Cosmology and Metaphysics
Flota de Magallanes (The 2. Theodicy
Departure: Hymn to 3. History of Philosophy
Magellan’s Fleet) ● After one year, he shifted to
3. Y Es Español: Elcano, Medicine to help his mother, who
Primero en dar la Vuelta had failing eyesight.
After completing his first year, Rizal decided Rizal's poem as superior and had
to take up medicine ahis university course. won the first prize and
This change of heart was due to two factors: [Link] prize consisted of a
[Link] Ramon Pablo, rector of the feather shaped silver pen decorated
Ateneo, had advised him to pursue the with a gold ribbon.
course The following year, the Liceo Again
[Link]'s mother had failing eyesight and he sponsored another competition celebrating
thought he owed it to her to become a the centenary of the death of Miguelde
doctor and cure her condition Cervantes, the national poet ofSpain.
● Rizal's performance was not as ● El Consejo de los Dioses (The
excellent as in Ateneo due to: Council of the Gods, 1880):
1. Hostile Dominican professors ● Junto Al Pasig (Beside the Pasig,
2. Discrimination against 1880): A religious satire staged at
Filipino students Ateneo (December 8, 1880) on the
3. Outdated and repressive occasion of the annual celebration of
teaching methods the Feast Day of the Immaculate
● He later expressed his discontent Conception,patroness of the Ateneo.
through El Filibusterismo, The study of Rizal at University of Sto.
particularly in the character of Tomas(UST) was not meaningful and fruitful
Placido Penitente. just like when he was [Link], after
three main reasons for his struggling completing his four years in medical school
academic performance (Guerrero, 1998): decided
[Link] was not satisfied with the system of to
education the university leave
[Link] were plenty of things to distract a the
young man in the peak of his youth country for
[Link] was not Rizal's true vocation. He [Link] the letter Paciano sent
would later find out that his real calling was toRizal, the real purpose of Rizal's Journey
in the arts, not in medicine. to Europe was to make a name for him in
Rizal's Romantic Relationships the realm of journalism and to observe and
● Segunda Katigbak: Close friend of study European way of life.
his sister Olympia; engaged to Decision to Travel to Europe
Manuel Luz. ●
● Jacinta Ibardo Laza: A teacher from Rizal left for Spain to complete his
Pakil, Laguna. Was described as medical specialization and conduct a
“fair with seductive and attractive "secret mission."
eyes”. Their romance died of natural ● He assumed the alias Jose
causes. Mercado to evade Spanish
● Leonor Valenzuela: Neighbor in authorities.
Intramuros; exchanged secret letters ● May 3, 1882: Departed on Salvador
using invisible ink. for Singapore, then transferred to
● Leonor Rivera: His cousin and Djemnah for Europe.
childhood sweetheart; signed letters Philippines to Singapore (May 3-11,1882)Donato
as "Taimis."Described as“tender as a Lecha, captain of the ship defined
budding flower with kindly, wistful Jose as a refined man.
eyes”.They kept correspondence He arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882
even after Rizal went toEurope. He stayed in Hotel de la Paz.
Experience of Spanish Brutality● Rizal witnessed He then left Singapore on May 11, 1882
Spanish brutality boarded the ship DjemnahEducation in
firsthand in Calamba during summer Spain and Beyond
vacation from UST. Trip to the Suez Canal
Artistic From Colombo, the Djemnah continued its
Works voyage, crossing the Indian Ocean to the
and Cape coast of Africa. Rizal sighted the
Literary barren coast of Africa for the first time,
Achievements which he called an "inhospitable land but
● A La Juventad Filipina Sa famous."
Kabataang Pilipino (To the Filipino The next stopover was in Aden. He found
Youth, 1879): Won first prize at the the city hotter than Manila and was amused
Artistic-Literary Lyceum of Manila (a to see the camels, as it was his first time
society whose members were the seeing them.
artists in literature.) From Aden, the ship proceeded to the city
The Board of Judges had chosen of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez
Canal. The Djemnah took five days to ● Witnessed Catholics and
traverse the canal. Rizal was thrilled Protestants peacefully coexisting.
because it was his first trip through this ● Lived with Dr. Karl Ullmen, a
canal, which was built by Ferdinand de Protestant pastor.
Lasseps. ● Discussed Catholicism vs.
At Port Said, Rizal landed to see the Protestantism, defending his faith
interesting sights. On June 11, he reached as a Mason.
Naples. The city pleased Rizal because of "To the Flowers of Heidelberg" (A Las
its business activities. Flores De Heidelberg)
Rizal in Madrid, Spain First Letter to Prof. Ferdinand
Rizal arrived in Madrid in 1882 and initially Blumentritt
lived with a friend, Vicente Gonzalez, in a ● Rizal wrote a German letter to
house near the university and an atelier. Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt
This allowed him to save on transportation on July 31, 1886.
costs. ● He introduced himself and sent a
In Spain, Rizal became a leader of the book titled Arithmetica in Spanish
reform movement among Filipino students. and Tagalog.
He contributed essays, poems, and ● Blumentritt was impressed, leading
editorials to the Spanish newspaper La to their lifelong friendship.
Solidaridad under various pen names. The Novel: Noli Me Tangere
They Ask Me for Verses (Me Piden ● Rizal, determined to expose the
Versos) socio-political issues in the
Rizal wrote Me Piden Versos after his Philippines, wrote "Noli Me
friends at the Circulo Hispano asked him for Tangere" alone.
a poem. The piece reflects the challenges a ● Members of the Circulo
poet faces in meeting the expectations of Hispano-Filipino showed little
others and emphasizes the importance of interest in his proposed book project.
genuine inspiration. It explores themes of ● He completed the novel in Germany
isolation, homesickness, and the difficulty of and published it in 1887 with the
finding inspiration in the midst of hardship financial help of Maximo Viola.
Rizal's Education in Spain ● The novel became a catalyst for
Rizal, dissatisfied with his education in the Filipino nationalism.
Philippines, secretly traveled to Spain in First Homecoming (1887)
May 1882 with the support of his brother ● After five years in Europe, Rizal
Paciano and enrolled in the Universidad decided to return to the Philippines
Central de Madrid. to treat his mother’s eye ailment,
● He enrolled in the medicine help his family, and observe the
program and earned a Licentiate in impact of Noli Me Tangere. He
Medicine. boarded the steamer Djemnah on
● He also pursued studies in July 3, 1887, and arrived in Manila
philosophy and letters, earning a onAugust 6, where he was warmly
Licentiate in Philosophy and welcomed by his family and friends.
Letters with the rating of ● Back in Calamba, Rizal established
"excellent" (sobresaliente). a medical clinic, treating patients,
Rizal in Paris and Berlin including his mother, and earning the
● Rizal traveled to Paris and Berlin, nickname “Doctor Uliman” due to
where he studied ophthalmology. his studies in Germany. He also
● He joined the German promoted European Sports like
Anthropological Society. fencing and gymnastics to
● He finished writing and published his discourage gambling and
first novel, "Noli Me Tangere," in cockfighting among the youth.
Berlin. Conclusion
Rizal in Heidelberg, Germany ● Rizal's education abroad
● Moved to Germany due to the lower transformed him into a patriot and
cost of living.● Arrived in Heidelberg on February reformist.
3, 1886. ● Despite his success, he remained
● Worked at University Eye Hospital committed to fighting for Philippine
under Dr. Otto Becker. independence.
● Attended lectures by Dr. Becker and
Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne.
● Explored Heidelberg Castle,
Neckar River, and old churches.
Rizal's Observation in Heidelberg