GE 111 Lesson 3: Rizal's Life, Family, and Childhood

• GE 111 - The Life and Works of Rizal, Lesson 3 focuses on Rizal's life, family, and childhood.
• The module aims to discuss Rizal's family background, analyze his childhood years in Calamba, evaluate influences on his early life, interpret human experiences from various perspectives, and utilize technology for learning and research.

Rizal's Birth and Family

• Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.
• He was the seventh of eleven children in a well-off family living on Dominican-owned tenant land.
• Rizal lived and died during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines.

Early Education and Talents

• During his early childhood, Jose mastered the alphabet and learned to read and write.
• He read the Spanish version of the Vulgate Bible.
• Rizal showed inclinations towards the arts early on, amazing his family with pencil drawings, sketches, and clay moldings.
• He showed talent in painting and sculpture, and wrote a Tagalog play presented at a town fiesta.

Don Francisco Mercado (Father)

• Jose's father, Francisco Engracio Mercado (1818-1898), was a productive farmer from Biñan, Laguna.
• He was independent-minded and dynamic, and from whom Jose inherited his “free soul”.
• Don Francisco became Teniente gobernadorcillo in Calamba and was nicknamed Teniente Kiko.
• Francisco's great grandfather was Domingo Lam-co, a Chinese immigrant businessman who married Ines de la Rosa.
• Juan Mercado, Francisco's grandson, became gobernadorcillo of Biñan, Laguna, and was the father of Francisco.
• Jose's father was born on May 11, 1818, in Biñan, Laguna.
• Francisco took Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila, and married Teodora Alonso on June 28, 1848.
• The couple settled in Calamba where they were granted a lease of a rice farm in the Dominican-owned haciendas.

Doña Teodora Alonso (Mother)

• Jose's mother, Teodora Alonso (1827-1913), was an educated and cultured woman from Sta. Cruz, Manila, also known as "Lolay."
• She was born on November 8, 1826, in Santa Cruz.
• Doña Lolay was educated at the College of Santa Rosa.
• She was described as diligent, business-minded, graceful, courageous, well-mannered, religious, and well-read.
• She ran sugar and flour mills and a small store, influencing her children's love for the arts, literature, and music.
• Teodora's family was believed to have descended from Lakandula, the last native king of Tondo.
• She became Teodora Alonso Quintos Realonda through the Claveria degree of 1849.

Siblings of Jose Rizal

• Saturnina Rizal (1850-1913) was the eldest child, providing Jose with good basic education.
• By age three, Jose (Pepe) already knew his alphabet.
• Paciano Rizal (1851-1930) was Jose's only brother.
• He studied at San Jose College in Manila, became a farmer, and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.
• Narcisa Rizal (1852-1939) helped finance Rizal's studies in Europe.
• Olimpia Rizal (1855-1887) was Jose's sister.
• Lucia Rizal (1857-1919) married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba.
• Maria Rizal (1859-1945) was the sixth child, with whom Jose discussed marrying Josephine Bracken.
• Concepcion Rizal (1862-1865) died at the age of three, and was greatly loved by Jose.
• Josefa Rizal (1865-1945), nicknamed "Panggoy," joined the Katipunan after Jose was executed.
• Trinidad Rizal (1868-1951) was the tenth child, who joined Jose in Dapitan during his exile.
• Soledad Rizal (1870-1929) was the youngest child, and was a teacher.

The Surname "Rizal"

• The family's paternal great-great-grandfather, Domingo Lamco, adopted the name "Mercado."
• Jose's father, Francisco, adopted the surname "Rizal," meaning "the green young growth" or "greenfields."
• Paciano used "Mercado" as his last name, but suggested Jose use "Rizal" for his safety, due to Paciano's notoriety.

Rizal's Birthplace

• Jose Rizal was born in Calamba.
• His parents decided to build a home in this town in Laguna in 1848.
• The name Calamba comes from Kalan-Banga, meaning "clay stove" and "water jar".
• Rizal depicted the beauty of Calamba in his poem, with the laguna de Bay and Mount Makiling.
• The first massive stone house in Calamba was the birthplace of Rizal.
• The house was a rectangular two-story building of adobe stones and solid wood, reflecting the family's wealth and influence.

Childhood

• During his childhood, Rizal was a phenom.
• His first memory was of happy days in their family garden at age three.
• The courtyard had tropical fruit trees, a poultry-yard, a carriage house, and a stable for ponies.
• Due to being weak, he was given a nipa cottage by his father to play in.
• The Angelus prayer was part of daily life with his mother gathering the children.
• At the age of five, Pepe learned to read the Spanish family Bible.
• He loved to go to the chapel, participate in novenas, and join religious processions.
• Pepe started sketching and molding clay and wax objects at age five.
• At seven, his father took him on a pilgrimage to Antipolo.
• He received a pony named "Alipato" from his father and loved to ride and walk with his dog “Usman”.
• Before he was eight, Rizal had written a drama performed at a local festival.
• Rizal was also interested in magic and learned many tricks.
• Tio Jose Alberto inspired him to cultivate his artistic ability.
• Tio Manuel encouraged physical exercises, and Tio Gregorio intensified his reading habits.

General Information

• Rizal came from a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna, and was the 7th of 11 children.
• His siblings were Paciano, Saturnina, Narcisa, Olimpia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, and Solidad.
• Rizal's family instilled values and exposed him to Catholic teachings, contributing to his nationalistic sensibilities.
• He learned respect, love for work, and independent thinking from his father.
• His mother influenced his religiosity, self-sacrifice, and love for the arts.
• Paciano and his sisters instilled in him respect, kindness to women, and advocacy for freedom and justice.