The Life and Works of Rizal

The Life and Works of Rizal

• Rizal is revered as a national hero, embodying sacrifice and a vision for peace.
• His desire was for his countrymen to educate themselves and embrace their identity confidently.
• Rizal promoted love for the country and universal peace in his correspondence, reflecting his humanitarian ideals.

Rizal's Contributions and Influence

• Rizal's ideas are considered relevant in addressing modern challenges, highlighting their timelessness.
• He exhibited core virtues such as honesty, integrity, patriotism, civic responsibility, and a high sense of justice.

Personal Struggles and Achievements

• Despite being teased for his small stature during childhood, Rizal focused on self-improvement through athletics and education.
• His feelings of inadequacy spurred his determination to excel, leading to mastery in various fields, including science and literature.
• He aimed to prove his capabilities to the world, showcasing his talents and rising above personal insecurities.

Ancestry and Family Background

• Born June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Rizal belonged to the Mercado-Rizal family, with Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Malay, and Negro ancestry.
• Family patriarch Domingo Lam-Co was a full-blooded Chinese who settled in the Philippines.
• Francisco Mercado, Rizal's father, was a well-educated farmer with a reputation for fairness and cultivated connections with local authorities.

Maternal Influence

• Teodora Alonso, Rizal's mother, was highly educated and a significant influence on his literary pursuits.
• She encouraged Rizal to appreciate Filipino culture and language, greatly fostering his early writing abilities.

Rizal's Name and Legacy

• Full name: Jose Protacio Realonda Alonso Mercado Rizal, reflecting family, religious, and cultural influences.
• The surname Rizal, meaning "second crop," was adopted to signify a new beginning for the family.

Family Dynamics

• Rizal was the seventh of eleven children, growing up with siblings who held various professions and achieved significant milestones.
• His only brother, Paciano, became a general in the Philippine Revolution, while his sisters also contributed to society in meaningful ways.

Education and Early Accomplishments

• Rizal initially attended Ateneo, where he distinguished himself as an excellent student and a leader.
• He later enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas, shifting focus from Philosophy and Letters to Medicine to help his mother.
• Rizal's academic journey reflected his commitment to national progress and healing, combining personal obligation with broader social responsibility.