Jose Rizal's Childhood

Jose Rizal's Childhood

• Jose Rizal's first childhood memory was the presence of his sisters and their many dolls.
• His daily routines included prayer, reading, and playing with his siblings.
• Rizal claimed to have had a 'God-given gift' for drawing during his childhood.
• The stories of his grandma, Lola Teodora Alonso, about the sufferings of the Filipinos under the Spanish regime made the profoundest impression on Rizal during his childhood.
• At the age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem, 'Sa Aking Mga Kababata'.
• Rizal predicted that future monuments and images of himself would be pulled down, but his ideas would remain free.
• His mother, Doña Teodora Alonso, instilled in Rizal the love for freedom and justice.
• Rizal was initially refused admission to the Ateneo Municipal because he was Late, but his father appealed to the school authorities.
• Justiniano Cruz, a private tutor, taught Rizal Spanish and Latin while living in his residence.
• Rizal inherited his father's seriousness and thriftiness.
• The scenic beauties of Calamba, where he grew up, influenced Rizal's appreciation for nature and its beauty.
• Rizal's first schooling experience was characterized by his intelligence and curiosity, which earned him the nickname 'Batang Génio' or 'Child Genius'.