Rizal's Childhood and Early Education

Childhood and Early Education

• Rizal had fond memories of his childhood in Calamba.
• As a family, they prayed together during the Angelus.
• Rizal enjoyed spending time in the garden exchanging stories with his family, which fostered an appreciation for nature.
• Rizal's poor health led to him having a personal servant who told him legends and fairy tales after the daily Angelus.
• These stories sparked his interest in myths and folklores.
• As a young boy, Rizal displayed intelligence and learning ability.
• His first teacher was Doña Teodora, who taught him to pray and the alphabet at a very young age.
• Rizal showed a strong interest in reading books and spent time in the family library.
• Rizal had private tutors, including Maestro Celestino and Maestro Lucas Padua, who taught him Latin, reading, and writing.
• Leon Monroy honed Rizal's skills in basic Latin, reading, and writing.
• At nine years old, Rizal left Calamba to study in Biñan with his brother.
• They traveled by carromata and stayed at their aunt's home for more than a year.
• Rizal was introduced to Justiniano Aquino Cruz, who was also Paciano's former teacher, by Paciano.
• The school, as described by Rizal, was a nipa house 30 meters away from his aunt's house.
• Rizal's daily routine involved morning mass, studying, breakfast, school, and more school.
• During his leisure time, Rizal excelled in Latin and Spanish and enjoyed painting lessons from Juancho, an old painter.
• Rizal spent time in Juancho's studio learning painting and drawing.
• Rizal was sent to the Ateneo Municipal by his father for a six-year program, Bachiller en Artes.
• He received entrance exam on June 10, 1872, four months after Gomburza's execution.
• Rizal changed his name from Jose Mercado to Jose Rizal at his brother's recommendation.