Jose Rizal's Family and Education

Jose Rizal's Family and Early Life

• Jose Rizal, born June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, was the seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda.
• Rizal's family was of mixed heritage tracing back to Chinese, Japanese, and Tagalog ancestry.
• His grandfather, Domingo Lam-co, was a Chinese immigrant merchant who adopted the Spanish surname "Mercado" in 1849 to comply with a government decree.
• Rizal’s mother, Teodora, was imprisoned for two years in 1872 without trial, accused of poisoning her sister-in-law.
• This incident marked a significant turning point in Rizal's life.
• The family adopted the surname "Rizal" to avoid association with Father Burgos who was executed for his role in the Cavite Mutiny.

Education in 19th-century Philippines

• During the Spanish colonial period, education was primarily controlled by the Catholic Church.
• The first formal schools were established by the Jesuits, Franciscans, Augustinians, and Dominicans.
• The curriculum focused on religion, reading, writing, arithmetic, and vocational subjects.
• Secondary education was introduced in the 17th century, with separate schools for boys and girls.
• The curriculum included history, Latin, geography, mathematics, and philosophy.
• Universities were only open to Spanish people and Spanish mestizos.
• Public education for Filipinos only became available in the 1860s, but the curriculum remained heavily centered on religion.
• The growth of commercial agriculture in the Philippines contributed to the emergence of a new class of wealthy Filipinos, known as "ilustrados."
• The opening of the Suez Canal in 1860 allowed the wealthy to send their children for higher education in Europe.

Jose Rizal's Early Education

• Jose Rizal's first teacher was his mother, Teodora, who taught him the alphabet and basic prayers.
• By the age of five, he could read and write.
• Teodora encouraged his love of poetry and storytelling.
• He also received lessons from his three maternal uncles, who guided him in his studies, artistic abilities, and physical development.
• His father hired tutors to further enhance his education.

Jose Rizal: A Symbol of Filipino Nationalism

• Rizal's writings and activism against Spanish oppression made him a symbol of Filipino nationalism.
• His execution in 1896 by the Spanish authorities fueled the Philippine Revolution.
• His execution contributed to his status as a national hero.

The Mercado-Rizal Family

• The Mercado-Rizal family had a strong Chinese heritage. Their lineage can be traced back to Domingo Lamco, a full-blooded Chinese immigrant from Amoy, China.
• The family also had traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay, and Negrito blood.
• Jose Rizal was one of thirteen children.

Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda

• Francisco Mercado II, Jose's father, was born on May 11, 1818 in Binan, Laguna.
• Was the youngest of thirteen children.
• Teodora Alonso Realonda, Jose's mother, was born on November 9, 1817.
• Teodora was Jose's first teacher.
• She was the second child of Lorenzo Alonzo and Brigida de Quintos.
• She attended the College of Sta. Rosa.

Jose Rizal’s Siblings

• The Rizal family had nine sisters and one brother:
  • Saturnina
  • Paciano
  • Narcisa
  • Olympia
  • Lucia
  • Maria
  • Jose
  • Concepcion
  • Josefa ­ - Trinidad
  • Soledad

Childhood in Calamba

• Jose Rizal's childhood was filled with happy memories in Calamba.
• He grew up in a loving and supportive family environment.