Rizal's Life: Ateneo and UST

• Chapter 4: Rizal's Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad (Ateneo and UST)

Ateneo de Municipal

• Founded on December 10, 1859, as the Escuela Municipal de Manila
• The Escuela Municipal de Manila was a school for Spanish and Filipino boys.
• In 1865, it was renamed Ateneo Municipal de Manila and granted the title of "Ateneo."
• "Ateneo" was a distinction given to Jesuit schools.
• In 1898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S.
• The school lost its government subsidy, becoming a private institution called Ateneo de Manila.

Admission into Ateneo

• Rizal went to the school with his brother Paciano on June 10, 1872.
• Fr. Magin Ferrando initially refused Rizal's admission for two reasons:
  • Rizal was late for registration.
  • Rizal appeared sickly and frail for his age of eleven.
• Manuel Xerex Burgos assisted Rizal to be admitted.

The Jesuit Educational System

• One goal was the academic development of the child in physical culture, humanities and science
• They provided courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
• Religion was emphasized through daily masses and prayers before and after class.

Camps

• The students were divided into two camps:
  • internos (boarders), designated as the "Roman Empire"
  • externos (non-boarders), designated as the "Carthaginian Empire"
• Ranking of students within each empire:
  • Emperor: the best student
  • Tribune: the second best
  • Decurion: the third best
  • Centurion: the fourth best
  • Stand-bearer: the fifth best

His Four Years in Ateneo de Manila

• First Year (1872-1873)

  • His first professor was Fr. Jose Bech.
  • He was an externo, initially at the end of the line, but became an emperor by the end of the month.
  • Rizal was recognized as the brightest student and was given a religious prize.
  • He took private lessons in Sta. Isabel College during noon recesses to improve Spanish.

• Second Year (1873-1874)

  • At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.
  • His first favorite novel was The Count of Monte Cristo, which left a deep impression.
  • Rizal also read historical works, such as The Universal History by Cecar Cantu, and Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor.

• Third Year (1874- 1875)

  • Achieved excellent grades in all subjects, and only one medal - in Latin.
  • He returned to Calamba for the summer vacation, unimpressed by his scholastic work.

• Fourth Year (1875-1876)

  • He became an interno.
  • Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a great educator and scholar, inspired him to study harder and write poetry.
  • Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez was described as a model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils.
  • Rizal topped in all his subjects and received five medals.

• Last Year in Ateneo

  • Rizal considered the most brilliant Atenean and a pride of the Jesuits.
  • Graduated with the highest honor at sixteen with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • One of nine to be hailed as sobresaliente in his graduating class of twelve.
  • He prayed on his graduation to Virgin Mary for protection as he entered the world.

Extra-Curricular Activities

• He was an active member, later secretary of the Marian Congregation.
• This was due to his academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.
• He was also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

His First Romance

• Rizal's first romance was with Segunda Katigbak.
• Seguna Katigbak was a 14-year old from Batangas.
• Segunda Katigbak was an attractive girl, mysteriously causing his heart to palpitate with estranged ecstasy.
• Rizal came to know Segunda more intimately during his weekly visit to La Concordia College.

Medical Studies at the University of Sto. Tomas

• Rizal's mother opposed his pursuit of higher education.
• This was because she feared his ability and knowledge may adversely affect his future.
• Despite opposition, Rizal took a year's course in Philosophy and Letters for two reasons:
  • His father had liked the course
  • Rizal was at a loss of what career to pursue.
• He enrolled perito agrimensor (expert surveyor) in Ateneo.

His First Year

• He experienced brutality by a Spanish officer for not recognizing and greeting him.

• His grades were excellent but declined when he transferred to the medical course.

• He only garnered an excellent grade in only one subject in his first year.

• After completing his first year, Rizal decided to take up medicine as his university course.

  • Father Ramon Pablo, rector of the Ateneo, had advised him to pursue the course
  • Rizal's mother had failing eyesight, and he felt he owed it to her to become a doctor and cure her condition.

• He received varied grades in all his subjects until he reached his fourth year.

• After his fourth year, he decided to study in Spain, supported by siblings and relatives.

• He left for Spain without his parent's permission.

• Neither his girlfriend Leonor Rivera nor the Spanish government knew of his decision to go to Spain for medical schooling.

• Other reasons for Rizal's desire to go to Spain are possibly had something to do with political reasons.