Life of Jose Rizal: Family and Early Years

• José Rizal was a multifaceted genius who became the Philippines' greatest hero.
• He was a physician, poet, dramatist, essayist, novelist, historian, architect, painter, sculptor, educator, linguist, musician, naturalist, ethnologist, surveyor, engineer, farmer, businessman, economist, geographer, cartographer, bibliophile, philologist, translator, inventor, magician, humorist, satirist, polemicist, sportsman, and traveler.
• Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.
• He was baptized on June 22 in the local Catholic church by Father Rufino Collantes.
• His godfather was Father Pedro Casanas.
• Rizal was the seventh of eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda.

Rizal's Parents

• Francisco Mercado Rizal was born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818.
• He studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
• Francisco became a tenant farmer in Calamba after his parents died.
• He was independent, hardworking, and strong.
• Francisco Mercado Rizal died in Manila on January 5, 1898, at age 80.
• Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda was born in Manila on November 8, 1826, and was educated at the College of Santa Rosa.
• She possessed refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and fortitude.
• Doña Teodora died in Manila on August 16, 1911, at the age of 85.
• She rejected a life pension from the Philippine government.

The Rizal Children

• Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda had eleven children: two boys and nine girls.
• Saturnina Rizal (1850-1913) was the oldest and married Manuel T. Hidalgo.
• Paciano Rizal (1851-1930) was José's older brother and joined the Philippine Revolution, later becoming a farmer.
• Narcisa Rizal (1852-1939) married Antonio Lopez.
• Olimpia Rizal (1855-1887) married Silvestre Ubaldo.
• Lucia Rizal (1857-1919) married Mariano Herbosa.
• Maria Rizal (1859-1945) married Daniel Faustino Cruz.
• José Rizal (1861-1896) was the greatest Filipino hero.
• Concepcion Rizal (1862-1865) died at age 3.
• Josefa Rizal (1865-1945) died an old maid at 80.
• Trinidad Rizal (1868-1951) also died an old maid at 83.
• Soledad Rizal (1870-1929) was the youngest and married Pantaleon Quintero.

Rizal's Ancestry

• Rizal had a mixed racial background: Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
• Predominantly, Rizal was of Malayan descent.
• Domingo Laméo was Rizal's Chinese great-great-grandfather from Fukien, arriving in Manila around 1690.
• Domingo Laméo converted to Christianity, married Ines de la Rosa, and adopted the surname Mercado in 1731.
• Francisco Mercado was elected gobernadorcillo of Biñan and married Cirila Bernacha.
• Juan Mercado, also elected gobernadorcillo of Biñan, married Cirila Alejandro.
• Francisco Mercado (Rizal's father) married Teodora Alonso Realonda in 1848 and settled in Calamba.
• Dona Teodora's side descended from Lakan-Dula, and her great-great grandfather was Eugenio Ursua.

The Surname Rizal

• The family's original surname was Mercado, adopted in 1731.
• The surname Rizal was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna.

The Rizal Home

• The Rizal family home in Calamba was a distinguished stone house.
• It was a two-story building with adobe stones, hardwoods, and red tiles.
• It was a happy home filled with parental affection and children's laughter.

A Good and Middle-Class Family

• The Rizal family was part of the principalia, the town aristocracy.
• They were able to live well through hard work and frugal living.
• They farmed rice, corn, and sugarcane, raised livestock, and managed a general goods store and flour mill.
• The Rizals had a carriage, a large private library, and sent their children to colleges in Manila.
• They were gracious hosts, welcoming all guests regardless of social status.

Home Life of Rizal

• The Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life with close family ties.
• The Rizal children were never spoiled, were trained to love God, behave well, be obedient, and respect people.
• The family prayed together daily, reciting the Angelus and the Rosary.
• The Rizal children were given ample time and freedom to play by their strict and religious parents.

Calamba, The Hero's Town

• Calamba was an hacienda town belonging to the Dominican Order.
• It was a picturesque town with irrigated rice fields and sugar lands.
• Rizal loved Calamba and wrote the poem "Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo" in 1876, when he was 15.

Earliest Childhood Memories

• Rizal's first memory was of his happy days in the family garden when he was three years old.
• His father built him a nipa cottage to play in.
• Rizal observed birds and listened to their twilight songs with joy.
• The daily Angelus prayer was another childhood memory.
• The aya (nurse maid) told the Rizal children stories about fairies and buried treasure.
• Rizal remembered the nocturnal walks in town, especially with a moon.
• His first sorrow was Concha's death at the age of four.
• By age three, he participated in family prayers, and at five, he read the Spanish family Bible.
• Rizal respected Father Leoncio Lopez, the town priest, and listened to his views.
• At age five, he began to sketch and mold clay and wax.
• Rizal told his sisters that people would make monuments of him when he dies.

His Gift for Literature

• Rizal began writing his first poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kababata," at age eight.
• The poem expressed nationalist sentiment, praising the love for one's native language.
• He also wrote his first dramatic work, a Tagalog comedy, which was staged in Calamba.

His First Pilgrimage

• On June 6, 1868, Rizal and his father made a pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill a vow made by his mother.
• Rizal was amazed by the magnificence of Laguna de Bay and the sunrise.

The Story of the Moth

• Dona Teodora's story of the young moth made a profound impression on Rizal.
• He listened to his mother read the story from "The Children's Friend" (El Amigo de los Niños).
• The story warned against disobedience, but Rizal was drawn to the light, admiring the moths circling the flame.
• The death of the young moth, who died a martyr to its illusions, deeply affected him.
• Rizal believed that dying for an ideal was worthwhile.

Lakeshore Reveries - Rizal's Early Reflections

• Rizal spent time meditating by the shore of Laguna de Bay.
• He observed injustices, particularly the mistreatment of villagers by the Guardia Civil and alcalde.
• He wondered if people lived the same way in other lands and if peace could be achieved without bribery or tyranny.
• This led to an early determination to fight tyranny and injustice.
• The injustices committed by the Spanish stirred a resolve to fight tyranny.

Early Influences on Rizal's Boyhood

• Rizal was shaped by hereditary influences, environmental influences, and aid of divine providence.
• He inherited love for freedom and courage from his Malayan ancestors.
• From his Chinese ancestors he inherited seriousness, patience, and frugality.
• From his Spanish ancestors, he inherited elegance and sensitivity to insult.
• Rizal's father was self-respecting, had a strong work ethic, and was an independent thinker.
• His mother was religious, self-sacrificing, and had a passion for the arts and literature.

Environmental Influence

• The scenic beauty of Calamba stimulated Rizal's artistic and literary talents.

• It strengthened his faith with the religious atmosphere at home

• His family influenced him:

  • His brother Paciano taught him love for freedom and justice.
  • Sisters instilled respect and kindness to women.
  • Aunts and uncles influenced his artistic, physical, and intellectual growth.

• His three uncles exerted a positive influence:

  • Tio Jose Alberto inspired him aesthetically
  • Tio Manuel encouraged physical development.
    • Tio Gregorio intensified his love for books.

• Divine intervention played a role in Rizal's path.

Conclusion

• Rizal's destiny was to become a symbol of genius, nationalism, and sacrifice.
• His childhood and early influences shaped his ideals and future mission.
• Rizal's experiences led to a lifelong commitment to fighting injustice and promoting freedom.

Lesson 3.3: Early Education in Calamba and Biñan

• Rizal's early education was typical of an ilustrado family during the Spanish colonial era.
• The curriculum focused on reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion.
• Education was strict with the "memory method" and corporal punishment.
• Rizal acquired knowledge despite the harsh system.

The Hero's First Teacher - Doña Teodora

• Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda, was his first teacher.
• She introduced him to the alphabet and prayers at age 3.
• Doña Teodora encouraged his poetry writing and storytelling.
• Private tutors like Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua and Leon Monroy were hired.

Rizal's Early Education in Biñan (1869)

• At age 8, Rizal was sent to Biñan, accompanied by Paciano.
• He stayed at his aunt's house and experienced homesickness.
• Biñan was more advanced than Calamba.

First Day at Biñan School

• Rizal was introduced to Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
• Pedro, a bully, mocked him.
• Despite the teasing, Rizal began his education under a stern teacher.

Rizal's First School Fight

• Rizal faced Pedro and challenged him to a wrestling match, which he won.

Rizal's Painting Lessons

• Rizal learned painting from Juancho.
• Rizal and Jose Guavarra became skilled painters.

Daily Life and Discipline in Biñan

• Rizal's daily life was simple, with study and religious practices.
• He attended Mass at 4 AM, studied, and had a light breakfast.
• Evenings included study, leisure with nieces, and a light supper.
• His disciplined routine was a balanced lifestyle that strengthened his body and mind.

Rizal's Academic Excellence

• Rizal excelled in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects.
• Some classmates resented his success with jealousy
• He received unfair punishments due to classmates' false reports.

End of Education in Biñan (1870)

• Rizal received a letter from Saturnina about the steamer Talim.
• He felt a premonition and collected pebbles as souvenirs before he left
• He had his first steamer ride, accompanied by Arturo Camps.

Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za (1872)

• The Cavite Mutiny led to the execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora.
• The event inspired Rizal's dedication to fighting Spanish tyranny.

Injustice to Rizal's Mother (1872)

• Dona Teodora was wrongfully accused of attempted poisoning.
• She had an unjust arrest and fifty kilometer walk
• She was subjected to a long legal battle which ended in her acquittal.
• This injustice reinforced Rizal's resolve

Conclusion

• Rizal's early education was formative.
• Family struggles and the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za inspired his dedication to fighting Spanish oppression.
• These experiences fueled his desire for reform and justice.