Life and Works of Rizal PDF

LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL Reading Material Instructor: Mr. Janzie L. Jadormeo José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda, better known as José Rizal, was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippine...

LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL Reading Material Instructor: Mr. Janzie L. Jadormeo José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda, better known as José Rizal, was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, during the Spanish colonial period. He is celebrated as a Filipino nationalist, writer, polymath, and revolutionary whose works inspired the Philippine nationalist movement, eventually leading to the country's independence from Spanish rule. Here's a detailed biography: Early Life and Education Parents and Siblings Rizal was the seventh of eleven children born to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, both of whom came from well-to-do families. 1. Francisco Mercado Rizal, the father of José Rizal, was born on April 11, 1818, in Biñan, Laguna, Philippines. He was the son of Juan Mercado and Cirila Alejandro, both prominent figures in their community. Francisco came from a family of Chinese-Filipino descent, with his family originally having the surname "Mercado," meaning "merchant" in Spanish, which was adopted to signify their occupation as prosperous farmers. Education and Profession Francisco was an educated man, having attended the Colegio de San Jose in Manila, where he studied Latin and Philosophy. After completing his education, he returned to Biñan to manage his family's farm and business. Francisco became a successful and wealthy tenant-farmer, cultivating land leased from the Dominican friars in Calamba, Laguna. His industrious nature allowed him to provide a comfortable life for his family. Family Life In 1848, Francisco married Teodora Alonso Realonda, a highly educated and intelligent woman who also came from a respected family in Laguna. Together, they had eleven children, with José Rizal being their seventh child. Francisco was a loving and supportive father, instilling in his children the values of hard work, discipline, and education. He was a strict but affectionate figure in José's life, often encouraging him in his studies and supporting his ambitions, including sending him to Manila and eventually Europe for further education. Influence on José Rizal Francisco's values deeply influenced his son, José. He was a man of integrity and strong principles, characteristics that Rizal admired and carried throughout his life. Rizal’s respect for his father was evident in his writings and actions, as he often spoke about how his father served as a role model for him. Persecution by the Spanish Authorities Like his wife Teodora, Francisco was not immune to the abuses of the Spanish authorities. The Spanish colonial government suspected the Mercado family of being associated with anti-colonial movements due to their prominence and influence. The family faced various forms of persecution, including land disputes and unjust accusations, especially as José’s nationalist writings gained attention. One significant incident was when the Dominican friars forced the Mercado family, along with other tenants in Calamba, to leave their farmland due to rising rents and disputes over ownership. This led to their eventual expulsion from their home. Despite these difficulties, Francisco maintained his dignity and strength for the sake of his family. Though he did not live to see the Philippines achieve independence from Spain, Francisco Mercado's life and values played a crucial role in shaping the ideals and vision of his son, José Rizal, whose contributions were pivotal to the eventual liberation of the Philippines from colonial rule. His father was a farmer, while his mother, who was educated and cultured, greatly influenced young José’s intellectual development. His siblings included Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad. 2. Teodora Alonso Realonda, the mother of José Rizal, was born on November 9, 1827, in Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines, to Lorenzo Alonso and Brígida de Quintos, both members of prominent families in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. She was a highly educated and cultured woman, which was unusual for women in her time, and she played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual and moral character of her son, José Rizal, who would later become the national hero of the Philippines. Family Background and Education Teodora came from an affluent family of mixed Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish ancestry. Her family used the surname Realonda in compliance with the Spanish decree of 1849, which ordered Filipinos to adopt standardized surnames. She was well-educated, having studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa in Manila, a school that was known for providing education to women of the upper class. Her education was a critical factor in José Rizal’s intellectual growth. She was a voracious reader, a quality she passed on to Rizal, fostering in him a love for books and learning at a very young age. Teodora is often credited with shaping her son’s early education, encouraging him to pursue knowledge and develop his creative talents. Marriage and Children In 1848, Teodora married Francisco Mercado, a prosperous tenant farmer from Biñan, Laguna. Together, they had eleven children, of whom José was the seventh. Teodora was a dedicated and loving mother, playing a central role in raising her children. She personally supervised their education and was known to be strict yet affectionate. Her deep religious faith and moral values greatly influenced her children's upbringing, particularly José, who admired her greatly. Relationship with José Rizal Teodora and José had a close and influential relationship. Rizal often referred to his mother as his first teacher. She taught him the alphabet, reading, and prayers at a young age, and instilled in him a strong sense of justice, integrity, and compassion. Teodora also introduced him to literature, which helped shape his passion for writing and knowledge. One notable anecdote was when Rizal, at the age of three, showed an early aptitude for storytelling and curiosity about the world. His mother nurtured this by encouraging his creative imagination and critical thinking. Her influence is evident in Rizal's deep respect for education and his later writings that championed Filipino rights and reform. Persecution by Spanish Authorities Teodora suffered unjust persecution from the Spanish authorities due to her family’s influence and connections. The most infamous incident occurred in 1872 when she was falsely accused of attempting to poison her brother’s wife. The accusation stemmed from local animosities and political motives, as the Spanish authorities were suspicious of influential Filipino families, especially those with intellectual inclinations like the Mercado family. She was imprisoned for over two years and forced to walk 50 kilometers from Calamba to the prison in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Despite the lack of evidence, she was convicted and suffered inhumane treatment during her imprisonment. This ordeal deeply affected Rizal and fueled his desire to seek justice for his family and the Filipino people. In his writings, he often alluded to the injustices suffered by his mother as a reflection of the broader oppression endured by Filipinos under Spanish rule.  Role in Rizal's Life and Works Teodora's influence on Rizal extended beyond his early education. She was one of his greatest supporters, providing emotional and moral support during his years of study in Manila and Europe. She was also a source of inspiration for the strong female characters in his novels, particularly Sisa, a character in Noli Me Tangere, who represented the suffering of Filipino women under colonialism. Teodora was a woman of strength and resilience, qualities that José Rizal admired and highlighted in his portrayal of women in his writings. Despite the numerous challenges, including the exile of her family from their land in Calamba and the eventual execution of her beloved son, Teodora remained strong and dignified until the end. Death and Legacy Teodora Alonso Realonda passed away on August 16, 1911, at the age of 84, several years after witnessing her son’s martyrdom in 1896. Although she experienced the heartbreak of losing José, she also lived to see the seeds of revolution that her son had helped plant, culminating in the eventual liberation of the Philippines from Spanish rule. Teodora's legacy as the mother of José Rizal is deeply honored in Philippine history. She is remembered as a woman of great intellect, moral fortitude, and patriotism, whose love and guidance helped mold the national hero and inspire a generation of Filipinos to strive for freedom and justice. Her role as a mother and educator is celebrated, particularly for the vital influence she had on Rizal's ideals and actions that forever changed the course of Philippine history. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was the seventh child in a family of **eleven children**. His parents, **Francisco Mercado** and **Teodora Alonso Realonda**, were well-respected and prominent figures in Calamba, Laguna. Here’s a detailed overview of José Rizal’s siblings, all of whom played significant roles in his life and, in some cases, contributed to the Philippine nationalist movement. Siblings of Rizal 1. Saturnina Rizal (1850–1913) Nickname: Neneng Birthdate: June 14, 1850 -Role in Rizal’s Life: Saturnina was the eldest sibling and was like a second mother to José Rizal. She was known for her intelligence and beauty. Being the eldest, she took on many responsibilities in the family and helped support Rizal during his studies abroad. Marriage: She married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Contribution: Saturnina was supportive of her brother's educational endeavors and was a key figure in keeping the family together during times of hardship. 2. Paciano Rizal (1851–1930) Birthdate: March 9, 1851 Role in Rizal’s Life: Paciano was the only brother of José Rizal and played a critical role in his life. He acted as a father figure after their father’s death and was a strong supporter of José's reformist ideas. Paciano encouraged José to pursue his studies abroad and protected him from the authorities’ suspicions. Revolutionary Involvement: Paciano was actively involved in the Philippine Revolution. He was a lieutenant general of the revolutionary forces and fought against Spanish rule. He also became part of Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government. Later Life: After the revolution, Paciano lived a quiet life in Los Baños, Laguna, and remained a revered figure until his death. 3. Narcisa Rizal (1852–1939) Nickname: Sisa Birthdate: October 29, 1852 Role in Rizal’s Life: Narcisa was known for her caring nature. She played an important role after José’s execution, as she was the one who found the site where he was secretly buried. She arranged for the burial of his remains in Paco Cemetery. Marriage: She married Antonio Lope*, a school teacher from Morong (now part of Rizal province). Contribution: Narcisa worked with other family members in safeguarding José’s legacy and ensuring that his sacrifices were remembered by future generations. 4. Olympia Rizal (1855–1887) Nickname: Ypia Birthdate: 1855 Role in Rizal’s Life: Olympia was close to José and provided emotional support during his exile and imprisonment. She maintained communication with him through letters. Marriage: She married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator. Death: Olympia died prematurely in 1887 during childbirth. Her death deeply affected José, who was studying in Europe at the time. 5. Lucia Rizal (1857–1919) Birthdate: 1857 Role in Rizal’s Life: Lucia was also a supportive sister to José and shared in the family’s struggles against the injustices of Spanish colonial rule. She, along with her husband, was among those exiled from Calamba by the Spanish friars. Marriage: She married Mariano Herbosa, a nephew of Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the Gomburza martyrs. Mariano’s untimely death and the denial of a Christian burial for him due to his association with the Rizal family further heightened the family’s grievances against the Spanish clergy. 6. Maria Rizal (1859–1945) -Nickname: Biang Birthdate: 1859 Role in Rizal’s Life: Maria was another supportive sibling who maintained a close relationship with José. She was a frequent correspondent of José while he was abroad and provided encouragement during his difficult moments. Marriage: She married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna. Contribution: Maria was known for keeping José’s memory alive in the family, helping to preserve his personal items and letters. 7. Concepcion Rizal (1862–1865) Nickname: Concha Birthdate: 1862 Role in Rizal’s Life: Concha was the younger sister of José whom he loved dearly. Her death at the age of 3 was one of the first profound sorrows of José’s life. Death: Concha died young, and her passing deeply affected the young José, contributing to his sensitivity and understanding of human suffering at an early age. 8. Josefa Rizal (1865–1945) Nickname: Panggoy Birthdate: July 19, 1865  Role in Rizal’s Life: Josefa was one of José’s closest siblings. She remained unmarried throughout her life and was a dedicated supporter of her brother’s work and ideals. Contribution: Josefa was active in the Katipunan, the revolutionary society led by Andrés Bonifacio. She became the president of the Katipunan’s women’s chapter, showing her commitment to the nationalist cause. 9. Trinidad Rizal (1868–1951) Nickname: Trining Birthdate: June 20, 1868 Role in Rizal’s Life: Trinidad was the closest sibling to José in terms of personality and shared his nationalist ideals. Before José’s execution, he entrusted her with his last poem, **"Mi Último Adiós,"** hidden inside a lamp. Contribution: After the revolution, Trinidad never married and remained devoted to preserving José’s memory and legacy. She played a key role in keeping many of his personal effects, including the famous "Mi Último Adiós." 10. Soledad Rizal (1870–1929) Nickname: Choleng Birthdate: September 14, 1870 Role in Rizal’s Life: Soledad was the youngest of the Rizal siblings. Like her older sisters, she provided support to José during his years of exile and imprisonment. Marriage: She married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba. Contribution: Soledad was an educator and was known for being a strong-willed woman, traits that were common in the Rizal family. Education of Rizal in the Philippines Rizal's intelligence was evident at an early age. At 3, he learned the alphabet and showed a great interest in learning. He first attended a local school under Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Biñan, Laguna. He then transferred to the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he excelled, graduating as one of the nine students in his class declared "sobresaliente" (outstanding) in 1877. In the same year, he also enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas but later shifted to studying medicine after learning that his mother was going blind. Studies Abroad In 1882, at the age of 21, Rizal left the Philippines to continue his studies in Europe. He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain, where he pursued both Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. While in Madrid, he also took the opportunity to improve his skills in multiple languages, becoming proficient in at least 10, including Spanish, French, German, and Latin. He earned a Licentiate in Medicine in 1884. Aside from Spain, Rizal also studied and traveled extensively in France, Germany, and Belgium. In Heidelberg, Germany, he furthered his studies in ophthalmology under the renowned professor Otto Becker, hoping to find a cure for his mother’s eye condition. In 1887, he completed his ophthalmology studies in Berlin. Nationalism and Literary Contributions While in Europe, Rizal became actively involved in the Filipino nationalist movement. He joined the Propaganda Movement, which sought reforms and representation for Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule. Rizal’s most influential works are his novels: 1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) (1887) - Written in Spanish, it exposed the abuses of the Spanish friars and officials in the Philippines. 2. El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) (1891) - A darker sequel to Noli Me Tangere, this novel delves deeper into the revolutionary ideas against Spanish tyranny. These novels inspired the growing anti-colonial sentiments in the Philippines, but they also led to Rizal being seen as a threat by the Spanish authorities. His works sparked controversy and were banned in the Philippines due to their critical stance on Spanish rule and the Catholic Church’s role in perpetuating abuses. Return to the Philippines and Exile in Dapitan Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892 after living in Europe for about ten years. He founded the La Liga Filipina, an organization aimed at promoting reforms and uniting Filipinos in the struggle for equality. However, soon after establishing the organization, Spanish authorities arrested him and exiled him to Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao, from 1892 to 1896. While in Dapitan, Rizal lived a productive life. He ran a school, practiced medicine, conducted scientific research, and engaged in civic projects such as improving the town’s water supply and teaching the locals about agriculture and hygiene. During this period, Rizal also fell in love with Josephine Bracken, an Irish woman who visited Dapitan to seek treatment for her adoptive father’s eye ailment. They lived together and are said to have had a child, though the child died shortly after birth. Revolution and Final Days Though Rizal advocated for reform rather than an outright revolution, his ideas and writings greatly influenced the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society founded by Andrés Bonifacio that aimed to overthrow Spanish rule. Even though Rizal did not support the armed revolution, he was implicated in the Katipunan's activities after the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in 1896. Rizal was arrested while en route to Cuba, where he had volunteered to serve as a doctor for the Spanish army during the Cuban insurrection. He was brought back to Manila, tried by a military court for rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy, and sentenced to death. On December 30, 1896, Rizal was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park in Manila). He faced his death with courage, reportedly turning around to face his executioners so that he would fall facing the sky, a symbolic act of defiance.= Legacy Rizal's martyrdom was a pivotal moment in Philippine history. His death united Filipinos and intensified the fight for independence, ultimately leading to the end of over 300 years of Spanish colonization. Today, José Rizal is remembered as the Philippines' national hero. His writings, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are studied by students, and his life is commemorated through monuments, such as the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, Manila, and Rizal Day, celebrated every December 30th. Rizal’s legacy as a man of letters, a patriot, and a martyr for Philippine independence endures, and he remains an icon of Filipino pride and nationalism.  SA AKING MGA KABATA A Poem of Jose Rizal "Sa Aking Mga Kabata" (English: "To My Fellow Youth") is a poem traditionally attributed to José Rizal, said to have been written in 1869 when he was just eight years old. The poem encourages the love of one’s native language and emphasizes its importance to national identity. Although its authenticity has been a subject of debate among scholars, it remains a significant part of Filipino literary history due to its message and the values it promotes. The central theme of Sa Aking Mga Kabata is the importance of one's native language. In the poem, Rizal expresses the idea that a person who does not love their own language is worse than a beast or a smelly fish. He emphasizes the role of language in achieving freedom and highlights the beauty of the Tagalog language (or Filipino), comparing it to other languages in the world, such as Spanish and English, which were highly regarded at the time. Kapagka ang baya’y sadyang umiibig Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit, Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin, Sa Ingles, Kastila, at salitang anghel Sapagka’t ang Poong maalam tumingin Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin ’Pagka’t ang salita’y isang kahatulan Sa bayan, sa nayo’t, mga kaharian At ang isang tao’y katulad kabagay Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan Ang salita nati’y tulad din sa iba Na may alfabeto at sariling letra Na kaya nawala’y dinatnan ng sigwa Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa Na tulad sa Inang tunay na nagpala