Philippine History Quiz: Timeline of Major Events

Study Notes

Philippine History and Jose Rizal's Life

In the mid-1830s, the Philippines was open to foreign merchants almost without restriction.
In 1863, the public education curriculum was controlled by the Church.
In the 1880s, sons of wealthy families were sent to Europe to study.
In 1892, Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines from the La Liga Filipina.
In 1896, Jose Rizal was executed.

Jose Rizal's Genealogy and Early Childhood

Jose Rizal's full name is Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda.
He was named Jose by his mother, who was a devotee of Christian St. Joseph.
Protacio comes from the Christian calendar, considering the day of his birth.
Rizal means "a field where a wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again" in Spanish.
Mercado was adopted by Domingo Lamco, which means "market" in Spanish.
Alonzo is an old surname of his mother, while Realonda was used by his mother's godmother based on the culture at that time.

Jose Rizal's Early Education and Life

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.
He was baptized by Fr. Rev. Rufino Collantes in the Catholic Church in Calamba on June 22, 1861.
His godfather was Father Pedro Casanas, a close friend of the Rizal family.
He received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal at the end of the school year.
In 1874-1875, Rizal's mother was released from prison during his 3rd year in Ateneo.
He became an interno in Ateneo and was inspired by Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez to study harder and write poetry.
He won five medals during his 4th year in Ateneo.
He wrote his first poem, "Mi Primera Inspiration," during his days in Ateneo.
At 16 years old, he experienced his first romance with Segunda Katigbak, a 14-year-old Batanguena from Lipa.

University of Sto. Tomas and Higher Education

Jose Rizal's mother opposed his higher education, fearing that the Spanish authorities might cut off his head with additional knowledge.
After a family council, Don Francisco's and Paciano's decision prevailed, and Rizal entered the University of Santo Tomas in 1877.
He enrolled in the Philosophy and Letters course, following his father's preference and due to uncertainty about his career.
He finished a surveying course in Ateneo and took a vocational course in UST, leading to the title "perito agrimensor" (expert surveyor) at the age of 17.
He was granted the title on November 25, 1881.

Travels and Romances

He met Norfenfals, a great novelist in Europe, and received his lost diamond stickpin.
He traveled to Ulm, Stuttgart, Baden, and Rheinfall in Europe.
He crossed the border to Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and stayed in Basel, Bern, and Lausanne.
He celebrated his 26th birthday in Geneva, spending 15 days in the city.
He parted ways with Viola in Geneva, and she returned to Barcelona, while he went to Italy.

Later Life and Exile

He visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence in Italy.
He attended the Madrid Exposition, where Igorots were exhibited, and some died.
He went to Hong Kong and was welcomed by his friend Jose Ma. Besa on October 18, 1891.
He published 800 copies of the first edition of his second novel, El Filibusterismo, in Hong Kong.

Description

Test your knowledge on key events in Philippine history with this timeline quiz covering the mid-1830s to the late 1800s. Learn about foreign merchant access, public education, travels to Europe, and the return of Jose Rizal to the Philippines.