Jose Rizal (1861-1871)

Age of 01-10 years old

Rizal ‘s Family

RIZAL's ANCESTRY
As a typical Filipino , Rizal was a product of the mixture of races. In his veins flowed the blood of both
East and West - Negrito, Indonesian , Malay , Chinese, japanese and Spanish. Predominantly , he was a
Malayan and was a magnificent specimen of Asian Manhood. Rizal's great great grandfather on his father's
side was Domingo Lameo, a Chinese immigrant from Fukien City of Changchow , who arrived in Manila
about 1690. He became a Christian , married a well-to-do Chinese Christian girl of Manila named Ines de
la Ros, and assumed in 1731 the surname Mercado which was appropriate for him because he was a
merchant. The Spanish term Mercado means "market' in English. Domingo Mercado and Ines de la Rosa
had a son, Francisco Mercado, who resided in Binan married a Chinese-Filipino mestiza, Cirila Bernacha,
and was elected gobernadorcillo (municipal mayor) of the town. One of their sons Juan Mercado Rizal
(Rizal's grandfather), married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese-Filipino mestiza. Like his father, he was elected
governadorcillo of Binan. Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had Thirteen children , the youngest being
Francisco Mercado, Rizal's father.
At the age of eight, Francisco Mercado lost his father and grew up to manhood under the care of his
mother. He studied Latin and philosophyin the College of San Jose Manila. While studying in Manila, he
met and fell in love with Teodora Alonso Realonda, a student in the College of Santa Rosa. And they were
married on June 28 , 1848 after which they settled down in Calamba, where they engaged in farming and
business and reared a big family.
It said that Doña Teodora's family descended from Lakan Dula, the last native King of Tondo. Her great-
grandfather (Rizal's maternal great-great grandfather) was Eugenio Ursua (of Japanese Ancestry), who
married a Filipina named Benigna (surname unknown). Their daughter, Regina , married Manuel de
Quintos, a Filipino-Chinese lawyer from Pangasinan. One of the daughters of Attorney Quintos and Regina
was Brigida, who married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Biñan. Their
children were Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal's mother), Gregorio , Manuel and Jose.

The Rizal children

God blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda with eleven children
two boys and nine girls these childrens are :

1. Saturnina (1850-1913) - oldest of the Rizal Children, nicknamed Neneng ; She married Manuel T.
Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
2. Paciano (1851-1930) - older brother and confident of Jose Rizal ; after his younger brother's execution,
he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general ; after the Revolution, he retired to his
farm in Los Baños, where he lived as a gentleman farmer and died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged
79. He had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena) - a boy and a girl. 3. Narcisa
(1852-1939) - her pet name was Sisa and she married Antonio Lopez ( nephew of father leoncio Lopez), a
school teacher of morong. 4. Olimpia (1855-1887) - Ypia was her pet name ; she
married Silvestre Ubaldo , a telegraph operator from Manila. 5. Lucia (1857-1919) - She
married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas. Herbosa died of cholera in
1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law of Dr. Jose Rizal. 6.
Maria (1859-1945) - Biang was her nickname; she married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
7. Jose (1861-1896)- the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius ; his nickname was "Pepe" ; during his
exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish Girl from Hong Kong ; he had a son by her, but this
baby-boy died a few hours after birth; Rizal named him "Francisco" after his father and buried him in
Dapitan. 8.Concepcion (1862-1865) - her pet name was Concha ; she died of sickness at
the age of 3; her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life. 9.Josefa
(1865-1945) - her pet name was Panggoy ; she died an old maid in 1951 at the age of 80.
10. Trinidad (1868-1951) - her pet name was Trining she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83.
11. Soledad (1870-1929) - youngest of the Rizal children; her pet name was choleng ; she married
Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba .

Jose Rizal (1872-1877)

Age of 11-21 years old

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

Four months after the martyrdom of Gom-burza and with Doña Teodora still in prison, Jose who had not
yet celebrated his 11 birthdays was sent in manila. He studied in the Ateneo Municipal.

This college is under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits and it was a bitter rival of the
Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran. Formerly known as Escuela Pia which means Charity
School for poor boys in manila. It was established by the city government in 1817. When Jesuits had
expelled from the Philippines in 1768, returned to manila in 1859, they given a chance to change the
named and it became Ateneo Municipal and later became the Ateneo de Manila.

On June 10,1872 Jose accompanied by Paciano, went to manila. He took the entrance
examinations on Christian Doctrine, Arithmetic and reading at the College of San Juan de Letran, and
passed hem after that they go back in Calamba to stay a few days with his family to attend town fiesta.
His father wished to him to study in letran changed his mind and decided to send him to Ateneo. They
returned in manila with paciano and went in Ateneo municipal. At first Father Magin Ferrando, who was
the college registrar, refused to admit our national hero for two reason. First, he was late for registration.
Second, he was sickly and undersized for his age because he was eleven years old only.

However, upon the intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, Nephew of Father Burgos,He was
Reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. Jose was the first of his family to adopt the surname “Rizal”. He used
it username to register in Ateneo because their family name “Mercado” had become suspicion of Spanish
authorities. Paciano had used “Mercado” as his username at the College of San Jose and He was known
to the authorities as Father Burgos Favorite student and Confidant

At the time Jose studied in Ateneo, this college was located in Intramuros, within the walls of
manila. He boarded in house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street, 25 minutes’ walk from the college.
This boarding house was owned by a spinster named Titay Who owed the Rizal family the amount of 300
pesos.

Jesuit System of Education.The System of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more
advanced than that of other colleges in that period. It trained the character of Student by rigid discipline
and religious instruction. It promoted physical culture, humanities and scientific studies. It offered courses
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts and vocational courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanisms
and surveying. The student heard mass in the morning before the beginning of daily class. Classes in every
subject were opened and closed with prayers. Students were divided into 2 groups namely: the “Roman
Empire” (internos /boarders) Red Flags and Catheginian Empire (externos/non-boarders) Blue Flags.
The best Student in each empire is called “Emperor”. Tribune for the second-best student. Decurion for
the third best student. Centurion for the fourth best student and Stand-bearer for the fifth best student
in each empire. The student wears a uniform which consisted of “hemp-fabric trousers” and a “striped
cotton coat. The coat material was called “rayadillo which later became famous because it was later
adopted as the uniform for filipino troops during the days of the First Philippine Republic.

Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo year (1872-1873). Father Jose Bech is Rizal’s first professors in Ateneo
whom he described as a “Tall thin man, with a body slightly bent forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face,
severe and inspired, small deep-sunken eyes ,a sharp nose that was almost Greek, and thin lips forming
an arc whose end fell toward the chin. A Religious Picture – Rizal’s first prize for being the brightest pupil
in the whole class. Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College to improve his Spanish during the
noon recesses. He paid three pesos for those extra Spanish lessons, but it was money well spent. He did
not try hard enough to retain his academic supremacy in the second half of his first year in Ateneo because
he resented at the end of the year, although all his grades were marked “excellent”.

Summer Vacation (1873). He returned to Calamba at the end of the school year. He did not enjoy
his vacation because his mother was in prison. His sister Saturnina brought him to Santa Cruz and visited
his mother in prison without telling his father. He told her of his brilliant grades at Ateneo and his mother
gladly embraced him. He turned to Manila for the second-year term in Ateneo.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874). He repented having neglected his grades the previous year
simply because he was offended by the teacher’s remarks. He studied harder to regain his lost leadership
and once more he became emperor. He received excellent grades in all subjects and gold medal at the
end of the school year. He returned to Calamba with such scholastic honors for summer vacation. Rizal
lost no time in going to Santa Cruz in order to visit his mother in the provincial jail. He cheered up Doña
Teodora’s lonely heart with news of his scholastic triumphs and with funny tales about his professors and
fellow students. Doña Teodora told her son about her dream and Rizal interpreting the dream, told her
that she would be released from prison in three months’ time. His prophecy became true and barely three
months passed; Doña Teodora was set free. She is happily back in Calamba was prouder of his son Jose
whom she compares to youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams.

Teenage interest in reading. Rizal began to take interest in reading romantic novels, love stories
and romantic tales during summer vacation in 1874. He read not only fiction but also non-fiction.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

 The first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on him.
 He was stirred by suffering of Edmond Dantes the hero in prison.

Universal History by Cesar Cantu

 Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that was a great aid in his studies.
 According to Rizal, this valuable work will be enabled him to win more prizes in Ateneo.

Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, A German scientist traveler who visited the Philippines in
1959-1869
  Rizal was impressed in this book because of Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish
colonization and because of his prophecy that someday spain would lose the Philippines and that
America would come to succeed her as colonizer.

Third year in Ateneo (1874-1875). Despite the family happiness of the release of his mother, he did not
make an excellent showing in his studies as in the previous year. His grades remained excellent in all
subject, but he won only one medal in Latin. He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his spoken
Spanish was not fluent. He was beaten by a Spaniard who naturally could speak Spanish with fluency and
with right accent. At the end of the year, He returned to Calamba for the vacation and he himself was not
impressed by his scholastic work. Rizal went back to Manila for his fourth-year course after a happy
summer vacarion and on June 16, 1875, He became an Interno in Ateneo.

Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a great educator, scholar, and one of his professors inspired him to study
harder and to write poetry. Rizal described this Jesuiot professor as:

1. Model of Uprightness
2. Earnestness
3. Love for the advancement his pupils inspired by Fr. Sanchez, he topped all his classmates in all
subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term.

Rizal finished his last year in a blaze of glory. He obtained the highest grades in all subject. He was the
most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was truly “The Pride of the Jesuits”.

Graduation with Highest Honors. On Commencement day,March 23, 1877. Rizal who was 16 years old
received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal the degree of Bachelor of Arts with highest honors.

Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo (1875-1876). Rizal was active in extra-curricular activities. He was
an “emperor” inside the classroom. He was a campus leader outside. He was an active member, later
secretary of a religious society. The “Marian Congregation”. He was also a member of the “Academy of
Spanish Literature and Academy of Natural Sciences. He cultivated his literary talentunder the guidance
of father Sanchez during his leisure hours. He studied painting under the famous painter, Agustin Saez
and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesusu, noted Filipino sculptor. He engaged in gymnastic and fencing
to develop his wwak body.

Poems written in Ateneo. It was Doña Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son and
it was also she who first encouraged him to write poems, however it was father Sanchez who inspired
Rizal to make full use of his God-given gift in poetry.

Mi Primera Inspiration (My First Inspiration), 1874 the first poem Rizal probably wrote during his days in
Ateneo which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. Rizal wrote it before he was 14 years old. In
1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood memories and war. One of the
popular poems is *Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- A tender poem in honor of
Calamba, the hero’s natal town.

MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)

After finishing the first year of a course in philosophy and letter (1877-1878), rizal transferred to the
medical course. Doña Teodora Vigorously opposed the idea that Rizal pursue higher grade learning in the
university. She said, “Don’t send him to Manila again. He knows enough. If he gets to know more, the
Spaniards will cut off his head. April 1877, Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the
University of santo Tomas, taking the course on Philosophy and letters because of the following reasons:

1. His father like it.

2. He was “still uncertain as to what carrier to pursue”

Father Pablo Ramon – Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student days in that college,
asking for advice on the choices of a career but unfortunately, he was in Mindanao. During the following
term (1878-1879) that Rizal having received the Ateneo Rector’s ha was advice to study medicine. During
Rizal’s first school term in University of Santo Tomas (1877-1878), Rizal also studied in Ateneo. He took
the vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor(expert surveyor). Liceo Artisco-Literario (
Artistictic-literary lyceum) of manila- a society of literary men and artists, held a literary contest in the
year 1879. Two reasons why ALA Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth) poem is a classic in Philippines
Literature:

1. It was the great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish
Literary authorities.
2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the foreigners,
were the Fair Hope of the Fatherland”.

Silver pen, Feather -shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon, the first prize given by the board of judges
which is composed of Spaniards because they were impressed by Rizal’s poem. El Consejo los Dioses (The
Councils of the Gods) – an allegorical dram written by Rizal Which he in the literary contest of Artistic-
literary lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of Cervantes and was a
literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) – a zarzuela which was
staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880, on the occasion of the annual celebration of the Feast Day
of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo. Rizal wrote it as President of the Acedemy of
Spanish Literature in Ateneo. A Filipinas – a sonnet written by Rizal for the album of the Society of
sculptors. In this sonnet, he urged all Filipino artist to glorify the Philippines. Vicenta Ybardolaza – a pretty
girl cologiala who skillfully played the harp at the Regalado home, whom Rizal was infatuated in Pakil.
Galicano Apacible – Rizal’s cousin from Batangas who is the sectary of the society.

Unhappy Days at the University of Santo Tomas – At the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal was unhappy
at this Dominican Institution of higher learning because of the following:

1. The Dominican professors were hostile to him

2. The Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
3. The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.

IN SUNNY SPAIN (1882)

Jose Rizal used this name in order to avoid detection to the Spanish authorities and friars. May 03, 1882
– Rizal departed on board the Spanish Streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore. Donato Lecha – The ship
captain from Asturias Spain and he describe as an affable man, “much more refined that his other
countrymen and collegues that I have met.” May 08,1882 – While the steamer was approaching
Singapore, Rizal saw a beautiful island, fascinated by its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island with
the Susong Dalaga”. May 09, 1882 – The salvadora docked at Singapore Hotel de la Paz, Rizal registered
here and spent two days on a sightseeing soiree of the city, which was colony of England. Djemnah – Rizal
transferred in this ship. It is a French steamer which left Singapore for Europe on May 11, 1882. May 17,
1882. – Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Aden – city
hotter than Manila. Rizal was amused to see the camels for the first time. Suez Canal – canal which built
by Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer) which was inaugurated on November 17, 1869. Port
Said – The Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal. June 11, 1882 – Rizal reached Naples and he was
pleased on this Italian city because of its business activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty.
Night of June 12, 1882 – the steamer docked at the French Harbor of Marseilles. Chateau d’lf – Rizal
visited here where Dantes, hero of the Count of Monte Cristo, was imprisoned. Afternoon of May 15,
1882– Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain, – Rizal crossed the Pyrenees and
stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou. Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greateast city
of Cataluña and Spain’s second Largest city, was unfavorable. Las Ramblas– the most famous street in
Barcelona, Amor Patrio(lLove of Country) – Nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil
– under his pen-name laong laan , appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20,1882. Basilio
Teodoro Moron – a friend of Rizal in Manila and the publisher of Diariong Tagalog whre sent this article.
Diariong Tagalog – the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog). Los Viajes (Travels) –
Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog. Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid) – Rizal’s third article
written in Madrid on N ovember 29,1882 but returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased
publication forlack of funds. Rizal received sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and the
Provinces according to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15,1882. Another sad news from the Philippines
was the cahtty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera. In one of his letter(dated
May 26,1882 ),Paciano advised his younger brother to finish the medical course in Madrid. Rizal left
Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid– the capital of Spain. Life in Madrid.
Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando – Rizal studied painting and sculpture. Rizal’s only extravagance
was investing a few pesetas for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid Lottery. Rizal spent his leisure
time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of filipino students at the house
of the Paterno brother (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and practicing fencing and shooting at the
gymnasium. Antigua Cfe de Levante– During the summer twilights, this is where Rizal sipped coffee and
fraternizedwith the students from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, etc. Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-
Phillipine Cirle) – A society of Spaniards and Filipinos which Rizal joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid
in 1882. Me Piden Versos (They Ask me for Verses) –upon the request of the mebers of this society , Rizal’s
wrote this poem which he declaimed during the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in
the evening of December 31, 1882 – in this sad poem, Rizal poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.