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GROUP 2

Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education

RIZAL’S LIFE: FAMILY, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY EDUCATION

The life and times of Rizal, thought short, is an endeavor that scholars and
scientists alike find worthy to study and analyze. What is it about the union of Francisco
Mercado and Teodora Alonzo (Rizal’s parents) that produce Jose Rizal? As well-known
Rizalist, Dr. Austin Craig was the first to trace Rizal’s family roots and discover his
Chinese ancestry.

Jose Rizal was a 9th generation patrilineal descendant of Chinese immigrant and
business tycoon Don Domingo Lamco (Chinese name: pinyin: Ke Yinan) of Laguna was
the great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal. Lamco is originally from Amoy, China who
came to the Philippines in the mid-17 th century. This is where he met his wife, Inez de la
Rosa daughter of Agustin Chino an immigrant trader from Chuanchow.

To prevent conflict and hostility with the Spanish authorities, he decided to drop
the name Lam-co and adapted a Spanish surname. As merchants, they choose the name
“Mercado” because it means market. Lamco started the businesses of the Mercado clan.
He was a successful entrepreneur in spite of the discrimination experienced by Chinese
traders from the Spaniards.

In June 1697, Lamco was baptized in the Catholic church of Manila’s Parian
Chinese ghetto and moved to Binan, Laguna. He was 35 years old at that time. Hi
financial state improved in Binan and he became a Chinese community leader. Lamco’s
son Francisco Mercado and grandson Juan Mercado married Chinese mestizas and both
served as distinguished mayors of Binan for five terms.

Juan’s wife, Cirila Alejandra, was the daughter of an immigrant trader and
Domingo Lamco’s baptismal godson Siong-co. they are the parents of Rizal’s father.
When Rizal’s father was born, the family transferred to Calamba. The house they built
was the first stone house in the whole town.

Jose Rizal’s brother, Paciano was identified with one of the martyred priests, Jose
Burgos so the family changed their surname from Mercado to Rizal.

Recent genealogical findings revealed that Rizal also had Spanish, Japanese and
Negrito ancestry. Teodora (Rizal’s Mother) great grandfather, Eugenio Ursua was a
descendant of Japanese settlers.

Ursua married a Filipina named Benigna and their union produced Regina Ursua.
Atty. Manuel de Quintos, a Sangley mestizo from Pangasinan married Regina and their
daughter is named Brigida. Brigida married a half-caste Spaniard named Lorenzo Alberto
Alonzo. They are the parents of Teodora and Rizal’s grandparents.

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JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY

The Rizal family belonged to the “principalia” an aristocratic town of

distinguished families. By frugal living, hard and honest work, Rizal’s parents were able
to live well. From the farms, which were rented from the Dominican Order, they
harvested rice, corn and sugarcane. They raised pigs, chickens and turkeys in their
backyard. In addition, Dona Teodora managed a grocery store and operated a small
flour mill.

Rizal’s parents were able to build a large stone house which was situated near
the toen church. They owned a carriage which was a status symbol of the illustrados in
the Philippines and a private library consisting of the 1,000 volumes.

Their children were studying in the colleges in Manila. They participated in all
social and religious affairs in the community. They were gracious and hospitable to all
visitors and guests during the town fiesta and other holidays.

The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life and was intimately close.
Don Francisco and Dona Teodora loved their children, but they never spoiled them.
They were strict parents and they trained their children to loved God, to behave well, to
be obedient and to respect people especially the old folks.

When the children got into mischief, they were given a good spanking because
they believed in the saying “Spare the rod and spoil the child”.

The Hero’s Father

 Don Francisco Mercado Rizal - (1818-1898) Jose Rizal’s father, was born in
Binan, Laguna. He studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in
Manila. After their parent’s death, Francisco and two of his sisters moved to
Calamba. He became a tenant farmer of the Dominican owned hacienda. He was
hardworking, and independent-minded who talked less but worked more and
valiant spirit.

Jose Rizal described his father in his diary:

My father was a model of fathers had given us an education commensurate with our
small fortune; and through thrift he was able to build a stone house, erect a little nipa
house in the middle of our orchard under the shade of some trees and others.”

The Hero’s Mother

 Dona Teodora Alonso Y Realonda (1826-1911) was born on Meisik, Sta.

Cruz, Manila. She studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Manila. She was a woman of

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refined culture and character, with exemplary literary talents, the fortitude of a
Spartan woman and with business ability, she manages their store.

Rizal lovingly described his mother:

“My mother is a woman of more than ordinary culture; she knows literature and speaks
Spanish better than I. She even corrected my poems and gave me wise advises when I
was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read many books”

Both parents greatly influenced Rizal as shown in his character. “From his father
he inherited a profound sense of dignity and self-respect, seriousness and from his
mother the dreamer and bravery for sacrifices and her literary prowness.”

 Don Francisco Mercado Rizal and Dona Teodora Alonso Y Realonda were
blessed with eleven (11) children: two (2) boys and nine (9) girls. They were as
follows in the order of their birth.

RIZAL SIBLINGS

1. Saturnina ((1850-1913)
Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of
Tanauan, Batangas.
2. Paciano (1851-1930)
Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College in
Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
Narcisa "Sisa" was a school teacher.  She married Antonio Lopez, the nephew of
Fr. Leoncio Lopez.
4. Olympia (1855-1887)
Olympia "Ypia," the fourth of the Rizal children, married Silvestre Ubaldo, a
telegraph operator who hailed from Manila.
5. Lucia (1857-1919)
Lucia married Mariano Herbosa, who was the nephew of Fr. Casanas, Jose Rizal's
godfather.  When her husband died of cholera he wasn't given the honor of a
Christian burial because he was Rizal's brother-in-law.
6. Maria (1859-1945)
Maria "Biang" married a man from Laguna, Daniel Faustino Cruz.
7. Jose Protacio Mercado Y Realonda (1861-1896)
His name was “Pepe”, the greatest filipinp hero, and peerless genius. He became
the national hero of the Philippines. He was a Filipino nationalist and polymath
during the tail end of the Spanish period of the Philippines. An ophthalmologist

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by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino

propaganda movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under
Spain.
8. Concepion (1862-1865)
Concepcion "Concha," Jose's younger sister, died at the age of 3 when she fell
severely ill.  Her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life.
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
Her nickname was "Panggoy". She was epileptic and died spinster at the age of
80. She became a member of Katipunan.
10. Trinidad (1868-1951)
Her nickname was “Trining”. She was the last of the Rizal children to survive and
died as spinster too and died at the age of 83. She also became a member of
Katipunan and she was the caretaker of “Mi Ultimo Adios”.
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
Soledad "Choleng" was the youngest of the Rizal children.  Her husband,
Pantaleon Quintero, hailed from Calamba.

THE BIRTH OF RIZAL

Jose P. Rizal, the 7th child of the Rizal family, was born on June 19, 1861,
Wednesday, Between 11:00 and 12:00 midnight in the town of Calamba, Province of
Laguna, Philippines. His mother almost died during her delivery because Jose’s head was
big. As he recounted in his student memories:

“My coming out in this vale of tears would have cost my mother her life, had she not
vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo to take me to her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage”.

 He was baptized in the Catholic Church in Calamba on June 22, 1861 by the
parish priest, Father Rufino Collantes. His Godfather was father Pedro Casanas, a
close friend of the Rizal family. Father Collantes was impressed by the big head
of baby Jose. He told them “Take good care of this child, for someday he will
become a great man.” The name “Jose” was chosen by his mother in honor of
San Jose (St. Joseph) whose feast was March 19.

 His complete name wasJose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda .

The name “Protacio” was taken from the Catholic calendar which was a
practice during the Spanish time, that when a child is born, he/she is named
after the saint of the day. The surname Mercado which means Market in
English was adopted in 1731 by his paternal great-grandfather, Domingo Lamco,
a full-blooded Chinese merchant.

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 Added surname Rizal was given by Don Francisco which is closer to the Spanish
word Racial which means” luntiang bukirin” related to his work as hacienda
owner/farmer. Alonzo was the surname of Rizal’s mother and Realonda was
used by Dona Teodora which is the surname of her godmother.

JOSE RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD YEARS

Jose Rizal, as a young boy had beautiful, fruitful and pleasant memories as well
as sorrow. He grew up in a happy home. He could remember the tenderest care of his
parents because he was frail, sickly and undersized boy. His father built a nipa hut in the
garden for him to play in the daytime. At the age of three (3), he enjoyed watching in
the garden the insects, the maya, culiawan, maria capra, pipit, the martin and other
birds. He listened “with excitement and wonder” to their twilight songs and sounds.

Another childhood memory was the daily praying of Angelus of 6:00pm in their
altar as all of them gathered for prayers.

At the “azotea” on a moonlight night, the aya (nursemaid) would tell stories
about fairies, legends, tales of buried treasures, and other fabulous stories. Sometimes if
he did not like to eat his supper, the aya would threaten him that asuwang, tikbalang,
nuno or the turbaned Bombay will come to take him away.

He is brought for a walk for the relief-giving breeze, to see the fruit bearing
trees, flowers, birds. The scenic beauty of his hometown Calamba, the legendary Mt.
Makiling and the distant Antipolo with the shrine of the miraculous Lady of Peace and
Good Voyage.

At the age of three (3), he began to join religious processions, novena in the
church and at the age of five (5), he was able to read the Spanish Bible with the help of
his mother. When Rizal was nearly 7 years old (June 6, 1868), his father took him for a
pilgrimage to Antipolo in order to fulfill his mother’s vows which was made when Jose
was born. Dona Teodora could not accompany them because he had given birth to
Trinidad. It was the first trip of Rizal across Laguna de Bay and his first pilgrimage to
Antipolo.

After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, they went to Manila, to visit
his sister Saturnina at the La Concordia College in Santa Ana.

THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW

 The Rizal children were bound together by the ties of love and care. Jose
loved most his little sister Concha (Concepcion) who was next to him.

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Unfortunately, Concha died at the age of three and for the first time he shed
tears for love and grief, which is said to be his first sorrow.

THE STORY OF THE MOTH

 Of all the stories told by Dona Teodora to Jose, the story of the moth made the
profoundest imprint on him which he recalled after some years…

“My mother was teaching me how to read in Spanish “the Children’s Friends (El
Amigo de Los Ninos). This first rare book and old copy. This night, my mother became
impatient with hearing me read so poorly. I did not understand Spanish and so I could
not read with expression. She took the book and read it to me but I was watching the
flame with some little moths cicling around the flame. Soon as my mother noticed that I
was interested. She stopped and said to me, “I am going to read to you a very pretty
story. I once opened my eyes on hearing the word story. She told me “The story of the
moth”.

RIZAL’S MENTORS

 Dona Teodora, Rizal’s mother was his first teacher. Barely three (3) years old,
had Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother. He was taught how to read
and write Spanish.

 As he grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at
home. The first was Maestro Celestino and the second, Maestro Lucas Padua.
Later, and old man named Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal’s father,
became the boy’s tutor. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he did not live long. He died five
months later.

 After Monroy’s death, the hero’s parents decided to send their gifted son to a
private school in Binan.

 At about this time, two of his mother’s cousin frequented Calamba. Uncle
Manuel Alberto, seeing Rizal frail in body, concerned himself with the physical
development of his young nephew and taught the latter love for the open air
and developed in him a great admiration for the beauty of nature, while uncle
Gregorio, a scholar, instilled in to the mind of the boy love for education. He
advised Rizal: “Work hard and perform every task very carefully; learn to be
swift as well as thorough; be independent in thinking and make visual pictures
of everything.”

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 Rizal possessed a God-given talent for literature. His mother who was a lover
of literature noticed his poetic inclination; hence, she encouraged him to write
poetry.

 Since childhood, Rizal showed an unusual talent in art and literature. He

scribbled verse on loose sheets of paper and on the textbooks of his sisters.
His mother, who was a lover of literature, noticed his son’s inclination and gift
for writing poetry. At the age of eight years old, Rizal wrote his first poem in
the native language entitled, “Sa Aking Mga Kabata –To my Fellow
Chidren”

To My Fellow Children Our mother tongue, like all the

(Sa Aking Mga Kabata) highest tht we know
Had alphabet and letters of its very
Whenever people of a country truly own;
love But these were lost -- by furious
The language which by heav'n they waves were overthrown
were taught to use Like bancas in the stormy sea, long
That country also surely liberty years ago.
pursue
As does the bird which soars
to freer space above.
For language is the final judge and “Sa Aking Mga Kabata”
referee (To my fellow children)
Upon the people in the land where it
holds sway; Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig
In truth our human race resembles in
sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,
this way
The other living beings born in liberty. sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Whoever knows not how to love his katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.
native tongue Pagkat ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Is worse than any best or evil sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian,
smelling fish. at ang isang tao'y katulad, kabagay
To make our language richer ought to ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
be our wish
The same as any mother loves to
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang
feed her young.
salita
Tagalog and the Latin language are
the same mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
And English and Castilian and kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
the angels' tongue; na tulad sa isang tunay na nagpala.
And God, whose watchful care o'er all
is flung, Ang wikang tagalog tulad din sa latin,
Has given us His blessing in the sa ingles, kastila at salitang anghel
speech we calim, sapagka't ang Poong maalam

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tumingin
ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa
atin.
Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwa
ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong
una.

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Father Leoncio Lopez, the old and learned parish priest of Calamba fostered
Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.

At an early age, Rizal was already exposed to the injustices and brutalities of
Spanish authority in the Philippines particularly the Guardia Civil who were supposed to
protect the people from harm. Rizal wondered why these abuses were happening
especially to the poor. Years later, he related:

I spent many, many hours of my childhood down on the shore of the lake,
Laguna de Bay. I was dreaming of what might be over on the other side of waves.
Almost every day, in our town, we saw the Guardia Civil lieutenant injuring some
unarmed and inoffensive villagers. The villagers’ only fault was that while at a
distance he had not taken off his hat and made his bow. The alcalde treated the
poor villagers in the same way whenever he visited us.

We saw a restraint put upon brutality. Acts of violence and other excess were
committed daily. . . I asked myself if, in the lands which lay across the lake, the
people lived in the same way. I wondered if there, they tortured any countryman
with hard and cruel whips merely on suspicion. Or ever yonder also, in order to live
in peace, would one have to bribe tyrants.

 Jose Rizal loved his sisters that usually wrote letters to them while in the
Philippines and foreign countries. He emphasized his ideas about women and
their righteous place in the society. He also compared the Filipina to European
women as to their dignity. One of his letters before he left the Philippines for
Cuba in 1896 stated thus:

To my Sisters,

“I urged you take care, serve and love our parents as you would like your
children later to take care of you, serve and love you in your old age. May you
live united, forgive one another’s asperities and slight—faults, the natural thorns
of life because it is a displeasure for parents to see that their children are not
living in harmony. Afterwards, when our parents are dead, we shall miss them
greatly and we shall be sorry for not having served them while they lived.

I give my brother-in-law very many thanks for the friendship they have
always accorded me; they have loved me as a brother; I could not help but love
them likewise.
May my nephews and nieces stud, be good, obedient to their parents,
grandparents and aunts.

May my boys continue behaving as well . . . I shall know how to take care
of them if I return. God will dispose of that. They have lost nothing: it is always
good to have behaved well.

Yours,
RIZAL

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