Rizal's Family Members

Study Notes

Jose Rizal was the seventh of eleven children born to Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Morales Alonso Realonda.
His siblings were:
- Saturnina Rizal (eldest child)
- Paciano Rizal (only brother and second child)
- Narcisa Rizal (third child)
- Lucia Rizal (fifth child)
- Maria Rizal (sixth child)
- Jose Rizal (seventh child)
- Concepcion Rizal (eighth child)
- Josefa Rizal (ninth child)
- Trinidad Rizal (tenth child)
- Soledad Rizal (youngest child)

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, as Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.
He attended the Latin school in Biñan where his father also attended.
He later studied at Maestro Justiniani's school, where he learned painting and became an apprentice of Old Juancho.
He surpassed his classmates in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects, earning him the title of best student.

Francisco Mercado Rizal was Jose's father, a pure Filipino who attended the Latin school in Biñan.
Teodora Morales Alonso Realonda was Jose's mother, who was sent to study at the Colegio de Santa Rosa, a prestigious school for girls in Manila.

Domingo Lam-Co, the family root, arrived from Amoy, China in the 1660s and changed his name to Mercado in 1697.
He married late in life and had a son named Francisco Mercado y Chinco, who was the first son of Domingo Lam-Co.

Uncle Gregorio, who instilled in Jose the love of education and advised him to work hard, be independent, and make visual pictures of everything.
Aunt, who lived in Biñan and provided lodging for Jose and his brother Paciano during their school days.

Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, was passed to address the need for re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism in the Philippines.
The law was inspired by the Philippine experience of the revolution for independence against Spain.

Courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, must be included in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
All schools, colleges, and universities are obliged to keep an adequate number of copies of the original or unexpurgated editions of Rizal's works and biography in their libraries.
The Board of National Education was authorized to work for the translation of Rizal's works into English, Tagalog, and other principal dialects, and to print and circulate them in cheap or popular editions.

The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems.
It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos.
During this period, the Philippines was trying to get up on its feet from a devastating war and was looking for ways to unite the people.

Sen. Mariano Cuenco and Recto, who drew inspiration from the lives of the heroes of the revolution against Spain.
Jose P. Laurel, who helped Recto in passing the bill.
Fr. Jesus Cavana, a member of the Paulist Order who wrote a pastoral letter.
Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, President of Catholic Action of the Philippines.

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, as Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.
He was the 7th of 11 children of Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Morales Alonso y Quintos.

His father, Francisco Mercado, was a pure Filipino who attended the Latin school in Biñan.
His paternal ancestors, specifically Domingo Lam-Co, arrived from Amoy, China in the 1660s and changed his name to Mercado in 1697.