Jose Rizal's Life and Influences Quiz

Jose Rizal's Childhood Experiences, Influential Figures, Family Background, Early Education, and Cultural Influences

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda, was a well-known poet and lawyer who died when Rizal was young. His mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, descended from Spanish grandees on her father's side and Malay royalty on her mother's, was a devout Catholic homemaker.

Childhood Experiences

Rizal grew up in poverty and was often ill. He attended public school briefly before becoming sick and staying home for two years. During this time of isolation, he started teaching himself Spanish, reading, and writing. After a brief period of teaching in a public school, he started attending the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.

Influential Figures

Rizal was influenced by his grandfather, Marcelo H. del Pilar, who was a member of the Propaganda Movement, a group of writers who promoted the use of Spanish in Philippine literature. He was also inspired by the works of Spanish writers such as Cervantes and Lope de Vega. Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, was a poet and lawyer who died when Rizal was young; he was also the author of the poem "Fidelidad y Amor".

Family Background

Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, was a lawyer and poet who had served as the town mayor of Calamba from 1861 to 1865. His mother, Teodora Alonzo, was a homemaker who had a strong influence on Rizal's Catholic faith.

Early Education

Rizal's education began in a public school in Calamba. He then attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, which was where he learned Spanish and English. He was expelled from the Ateneo after a confrontation with the school principal.

Cultural Influences

Rizal was influenced by the works of Spanish writers such as Cervantes and Lope de Vega. He also had a deep appreciation for Philippine culture and history, which he incorporated into his work.

In conclusion, these factors contributed to the formation of José Rizal's strong personality and love for literature. Despite growing up in poverty and facing adversity, he managed to educate himself and become one of the Philippines' greatest national heroes.