Jose Rizal: Early Life and Education

Study Notes

Early Life and Education

Rizal enrolled in the six-year “Bachiller en Artes” program at Ateneo, where he was placed at the bottom of the class and assigned with the Carthaginians.
Ateneo was run by the Jesuits and held rigorous intellectual standards and courses that were almost equivalent to college academics.
Jose Rizal took the entrance examinations at the College of San Juan de Letran and passed the entrance exam with flying colors.
Rizal studied the course/program Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and was advised by his father to gain a good foundation.
After one year, Jose Rizal shifted to Medicine, hoping to cure his mother.

Early Career and Activism

Rizal's brother Paciano, instructed him to study medicine and learn about European cultures and societies, in order to help bring reforms to the Philippines.
Rizal finished his coursework for his Doctor’s diploma in Medicine but was not able to submit his thesis nor pay the corresponding fees.
He obtained his licentiate in Medicine in 1884.
In 1885, Rizal moved to Paris and worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecker, a renowned French ophthalmologist.
When he returned home, Rizal established a medical clinic in Calamba, Laguna, and a gymnasium for young people, introducing European sports like gymnastics, fencing, and shooting. He aimed to steer his townspeople away from cockfighting and gambling.
Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines because he wanted to perform surgery for his mother’s eyes.
In response to the discrimination and mistreatment that he and his fellow Filipino students at UST faced, Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students called “Compañerismo," of which he was the president.
Rizal was engaged in numerous fights with the Spaniards, who called Filipinos “indios” and “chongos.”
In response to the discrimination and mistreatment that he and his fellow Filipino students faced, Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students called “Compañerismo,” of which he was the president.
On August 20, 1882, Rizal’s essay “El Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) was published, focusing on his love and protection for the Philippines.
Rizal was able to meet and socialize with acquaintances and former classmates from the Ateneo in Barcelona.
Only his brother Paciano, two sisters, and a few close friends knew about his departure.
Rizal secretly left the Philippines aboard the S.S Salvadora on May 03, 1882.

### Life in Europe

Rizal studied Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
He became known as "Doctor Uliman" for his stay in Germany and treated people's illnesses, quickly establishing a profitable medical practice.
His novel Noli Me Tangere was published in Berlin.
Two thousand copies of Noli Me Tangere were produced and distributed to Filipinos in Europe, including Dr. Blumentritt.

Controversy and Opposition

Because of the publication of Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned by his brother Paciano, his brother-in-law Silvestre Ubaldo, and other friends not to return home.
Anti-Rizal pamphlets written by Fray Rodriguez were sold daily in the churches after Mass.
When Rizal returned home, his brother Paciano kept him hidden during the first few days to shield him from any potential enemy attack.

Description

Explore the formative years of Jose Rizal, focusing on his academic journey from Ateneo to the University of Santo Tomas. Discover how his education influenced his later activism and medical studies. This quiz delves into his early life and the significant impact of his learning experiences.