THE LIFE, WORKS, & WRITINGS OF RIZAL

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda

 The founder of Philippine Nationalism
 The greatest hero of the Malayan race
 He was a polymath, nationalist, and the most prominent advocate for
reforms.

Republict Act 1425 or the “Rizal Law”

 An act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges,
and universities courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo , authorizing
the printing and distribution thereof, and for purposes.
Jose P. Laurel- the sponsor of the said law
Claro M. Recto-the author or main proponent of the law.
 It was enacted and signed on June 12, 1956 which coincides the Philippine
Independence day.
Three Main Goals of Rizal Law
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for
which our heroes lived and died.
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping
the Filipino character.
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life,
works, and writings.

Contents of the Rizal’s Law

Section 1: This section mandates the students to read the two greatest novels of
Rizal. These two shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities, public or private.
Section 2: This section mandates the schools to have “an adequate number” of
copies in their libraries.
Section 3: This section orders the Board of National Education to publish the
works in English, Tagalog, and other major Philippine languages.
Section 4: It prohibits the discussion of religious doctrines by persons engaged in
any public schools.
Section 5: A sum of 300 thousand pesos is appropriated to carry out the purposes
of the law.
Section 6: It shall take effect upon its approval.
Historical Background of the Philippines on Rizal’s times
-Filipinos were unfortunate victims of the evils of the unjust, bigoted and
deteriorating colonial power.
Evils of the unjust colonial power
1. Instability of colonial administration
2. Corrupt Officialdom
3. No Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes
4. Human rights denied to Filipinos
5. No equality before the law
6. Maladministration of Justice
7. Racial discrimination
8. Frailocracy
9. Force labor or “polo y servicio”
10.Hacienda owned by the friars
11.The guardia civil

CHAPTER 1. ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO

 June 19, 1861- birthdate of Jose Rizal
 Born in Calamba, Laguna Province
 June 22, 1861- baptismal of Rizal
 Nickname “Pepe”
 The greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
Father Rufino Collantes-baptized Rizal
Father Pedro Casańas-Rizal godfather
Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery- the governor general of the Philipines when Rizal was born

Jose- was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph)
Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar.
Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the paternal great-great-grandfather of Jose
Rizal) which the Spanish term Mercado means ‘market’ in English.
Rizal- from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means field where wheat, cut while still green, sprouts
again.
Alonzo- old surname of his mother
y- and
Realonda- it was used by Dońa Teodora from the surname of her godmother based on the
culture.

Francisco Mercado Rizal – Father of Jose Rizal

• Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandra II
• Born on May 11, 1818
• Born in Biñan, Laguna
• June 28, 1848, he married Teodora
• the youngest of the 13 children of Cirila Alejandro and Juan Mercado

Teodora Alonzo Realonda – Mother of Jose Rizal

Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda y Quintos
*Born on November 9, 1827
*Rizal's first teacher
*second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brigida de Quintos
*went to College of Sta. Rosa

Franciso Rizal and Teodora Alonso Children

1. Saturnina
2. Paciano
3. Narcisa
4. Olimpia
5. Lucia
6. Maria
7. JOSE
8. Concepcion
9. Josefa
10. Trinidad
11. Soledad

Ancestry Paternal Side

 Domingo Lameo - great-great grandfather

-A Chinese immigrant from Chang chow "China's City of Spring", he was married to Ines De la Rosa
 1731- he adopt the name 'Mercado' meaning market
 Francisco Mercado - Domingo Lameo's son
 Juan Mercado - Francisco's son, married to Cirila Alejandro
 Francisco Mercado - Rizal's father (son of Juan Mercado)

Ancestry Maternal Side

 Lakan Dula - descendant
 Eugenio Ursua - great-great grandfather of Rizal
-he was married to Benigna
 Regina- daughter of Eugenio, married to Manuel De Quintos
 Brigida - daughter of Regina, married to Lorenzo Alberto, mother of Narcisa, Teodora, Gregorio,
Jose and Manuel
 Rizal - "racial"; meaning "new pasture" and "green field"

CHAPTER 2. CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

 Jose Rizal grew up in a happy home, ruled by good parents, bubbling with joy, and
sanctified by God’s blessings.
 His native town is Calamba. Its scenic beauties and industrious, hospitable, and friendly
folks impressed him during his childhood years and profoundly affected his mind and
character.
 Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order, which also
owned all the lands around it.

Earliest Childhood Memories

  The first memory of RIZAL, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden
when he was 3 years old. Because he was a sick child, he was given the tenderest care by
his parents. His father built a little nipa cottage in the garden for him to play in the day
time.
 Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, his mother
gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus.
 Another memory of his infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town. The maid took him
for a walk in the moonlight by the river.

The Hero’s First Sorrow

 Jose loved most the little Concha (Concepcion). He was a year older than Concha. He
played with her and from her he learned the sweetness of a sisterly love.
 Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865 when she was a 3 years old. Jose, who
was a very fond of her, cried bitterly at losing her. “When I was 4 years old, I lost my
little sister Concha, and then for the first time I shed tears caused by love and grief…”

Devoted Son of the Church

At the age of 3, he began to take part in the family prayers. His mother was a devoted Catholic,
taught him the Catholic prayers, when he was a five years old, he was able to read haltingly the
Spanish family bible.
Father Leoncio Lopez- he is the town priest. Jose Rizal used to visit him and listen to his
stimulating opinions on current events and sound philosophy of life.

Pilgrimage to Antipolo
-On June 1868, Jose and his father left Calamba to go on pilgrimage to Antipolo, in order to
fulfill his mother’s vow which was made when Jose was born.
-It was the first trip of Jose across Laguna de bay. After praying at the Shrine of the Virgin of
Antipolo, Jose and his father went to Manila. It was the first time Jose saw Manila. They visited
Saturnina, who was then a boarding student at La Concordia College in Sta. Ana.

Artistic Talent
-since early childhood Rizal revealed his God-given talent for art. At the age of five, he began to
make sketches with his pencil and to mold in clay and wax objects.
“Alright laugh at me now! Someday when I die, people will make monuments and images of me.

First Poem by Rizal

-Rizal possessed a God-given gift for literature. Since early boyhood he had a scribbled verse on
loose sheets of paper and on the textbooks of his sisters. His mother who was a lover of
literature, noticed his poetic inclination and encouraged him to write poetry.
-At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem in the native language entitled Sa Aking Mga
Kababata (To My Fellow Children).

First Drama by Rizal

  Rizal, who was eight years old, wrote his first dramatic work which was in Tagalog comedy. It is
said that it was staged in a Calamba festival and was delightfully applauded by the audience.

Rizal as Boy Magician

 Since early manhood Rizal had been interested in magic. With his dexterous hands, he learned
various tricks. He entertained his town folks with magic-lantern exhibitions.
 In later years when he attained manhood, he continued his keen predilection for magic. He read
many books on magic and attended the performances of the famous magicians of the world.

Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood

1. Hereditary Influence
2. Environmental Influence
3. Aid of Divine Providence

Hereditary Influence
 From his Malayan ancestors, Rizal inherited his love for freedom, his innate desire to travel, and
his indomitable courage.
 From his Chinese ancestors, he derived his serious nature, frugality. patience. and love for
children.
 From his Spanish ancestors, he got his elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to
ladies.
 From his father, he inherited a profound sense of self-respect, the love for work, and the habit of
independent thinking.
 And from his mother, he inherited his religious nature, the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the passion
for arts and literature.

Environmental Influence
 The scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful garden of the Rizal family stimulated the inborn
artistic and literary talents of Jose Rizal.
 The religious atmosphere at his home fortified his religious nature.
 His brother, Paciano, instilled in his mind the love for freedom and justice. From his sisters, he
learned to be courteous and kind to women.
 His three uncles, inspired him to develop his artistic ability, to develop his frail body and
intensified his voracious reading of good books.
 Father Leoncio Lopez fostered Rizal's love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
 The death of his sister Concha and the imprisonment of his mother, contributed to strengthen his
character, enabling him to resist blows of adversity in later years.
 The Spanish cruelties and abuses awakened his spirit of patriotrism and inspired him to
consecrate his life and talents to redeem his oppressed people.

Aid of Divine Providence

 Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride and glory of his nation. God had endowed him
with the versatile gifts of a genius, the vibrant spirit of a nationalist, and the valiant heart to
sacrifice for a noble cause.

CHAPTER 3. Early Education in Calamba and Bińan

The Hero’s First Teacher
 Dońa Teodora Alonzo- was Jose’s first non-formal teacher
-on her lap, Jose learned prayers and the alphabet at the age of 3.

3 Non-Formal Teacher of Rizal

 Maestro Celestino- was Jose’s first private tutor
 Maestro Lucas Paadua- was the second private tutor
 Maestro Leon Monroy- became the hero’s tutor in Spanish and Latin. He was a
classmate of Don Francisco Mercado, Jose’s father.

Jose goes to Binan

 June 1869- Rizal goes to Binan with his brother Paciano
CARROMATA – the mode of transportation at Binan, Rizal lodged to his Aunt’s house
together with his cousin Leandro.

FIRST DAY IN BIÑAN SCHOOL

MAESTRO JUSTIANO AQUINO CRUZ-formal teacher

RIZAL'S CLASSMATES -Pedro (teacher's son)
Andres Salandanan
Jose Guevarra
FIRST SCHOOL BRAWL
PEDRO - wrestling
ANDRES SALANDANAN - arm wrestling

PAINTING LESSONS IN BIÑAN

 OLD JUANCHO a painter who gave free lessons in paintingnand sculpture to Rizal
and Jose Guevarra
Rizal became the best student in Biñan
 DECEMBER 17, 1870- Rizal left Biñan with steamer Talim
 ARTURO CAMPS- a French friend of Rizal's father who is with him on his way back to
Calamba

INJUSTICE TO HERO'S MOTHER

 DOÑA TEODORA -was arrested on a malicious charge that she aided his brother JOSE
ALBERTO in trying to poison his wife
 JOSE ALBERTO'S WIFE - had a relationship with the lieutenant of the GUARDIA
CIVIL
 ANTONIO VIVENCIO DEL ROSARIO - gobernadorcillo
 SANTA CRUZ- capital of Laguna province where Doña Teodora was jailed
 ROYAL AUDENCIA - supreme court
 DON FRANCISCO DE MARCAIDA & DON MANUEL MAZANO - prominent
barristers of Manila
MARTYRDOM OF GOMBURZA
  JANUARY 20, 1872 – Cavite mutiny flared followed by execution FATHER
MARIANO GOMEZ, FATHER JOSE BURGOS and FATHER JACINTO ZAMORA
 EL FILIBUSTERISMO – novel dedicated to GOMBURZA; published in GHENT
during 1891.

The Uncles of Rizal

Uncle Jose Alberto-gave wise direction in the studies of Jose
Uncle Gregorio-instilled into the mind of Jose the love for education. “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”.
Uncle Manuel Alberto-seeing Jose was frail in nature, concerned himself with the physical
development of his nephew
-he also taught Jose the love for open air and admiration for the beauty of nature.
First Day in School
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz-formal teacher
-Rizal described him as tall, thin, long-necked, sharp-nosed, with a body slightly bent forward
-the school was in Maestro Justiniano’s house

CHAPTER 4. SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPS: ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

-4 months after the execution of GomBurZa and with Dona Teodora was still in prison
-Jose was sent to Manila
-He studied in the Ateneo Municipal, under in the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits, bitter
rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran
-Formerly Escuela Pia (Charity School) is name of Ateneo Municipal later became Ateneo de
Manila.
-it was established by the City Government in 1817 for poor boys in Manila.
-Rizal enters in Ateneo on June 10, 1872 – Entrance Exam
-Father Magin Ferrando is the College Registrar did not allow Rizal to enter Ateneo for two
reasons:
1. he was late for registration
2. he was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years old)
Segunda Katigbak- first romance of Rizal

Manuel Xerez Burgos, (nephew of Father Burgos)

-He use "Rizal" as his surname instead of Mercado
-Boarded in a house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street, (25 mins. away from college)

Titay (a spinster) owned the boarding house, and owed the Rizal's family the amount of P300
-Promotes physical culture, numanities, and scientific studies.

 Vocational courses on agriculture, commerce, mechanics and surveying

Religiously operate the school

-mass every morning
-classes/subjects are open & close with prayer

Students were divided into two:

Roman Empire Internos (boarders)
Carthaginian Empire Externos (non- boarders)

Each empires had its Ranks:

Best Student - Emperor;
2nd Best Tribune;
3rd Best Decurion;
4th Best Centurion;
5th Best Standard Bearer;
 Student could challenge any officer in his "empire" to answer questions on the day's
lesson
 Failure to answer correctly (3) times, an officer could lose his position

Both banners were used equally in the classroom:

1st defeat -left side of the room
2nd Inferior position on the right side
3rd Inclined flag was placed on the left
4th Flag was reversed and returned to the right
5th Reversed flag was placed on the left
6th Banner was changed with a figure of a donkey

Uniform
-"hemp-fabric trousers" and "striped cotton coat" Coat material was called "rayadillo”
famous uniform

Rizal's First Year in Ateneo (1872) 1873)

 June, 1872, first day of class in Ateneo
 Fr. Jose Bech, first professor of Rizal
 He was an externo and was assigned to Carthaginians

At the end of the month he became "emperor"

He was the brightness pupil in the whole class
He took private lessons in Santa Isabel College and paid three pesos for extra Spanish lessons
He placed seconds at the end of the year although his grades were marked "Excellent"

Summer Vacation (1873)

 March 1873, Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation.
 His sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan to cheer him up
Visited his mother in prison at Santa Cruz without telling his father

After vacation, he returned to Manila for his 2nd year term in Ateneo
He boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street
Dona Pepay-was his landlady, an old widow with a widowed daughter and 4 sons.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)

-He repented having neglected his studies the previous year because he was offended by the
teacher's remarks.
-Rizal studied harder, and once more he became an "emperor" after losing his class leadership
He had 3 classmates from Binan who had also been his classmates in the school of Maestro
Justiniano
At the end of the school year, he received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.

Teenage Interest in Reading

During the summer vacation in Calamba (1874)
-1st favorite novel of Rizal “The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas
-A voracious reader
-Cesar Cantu's historical work entitled "Universal History”
-Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler (1859-1860)

3rd Year in Ateneo (1874-1875)

-Shortly after the opening of classes, his mother was released from prison.
-In the previous years, Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies
-He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his spoken was not fluently sonorous
-March, 1875 Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation

4th Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)

-June 16, 1875
-He became an interno in Ateneo
-Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez inspired him to study harder and write poetry"
“ model of uprightness, earnestness and love for the advancement of his pupils"
-Rizal won five medals

Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)

-June 1876, last year of Rizal in Ateneo
-He was truly "the pride of the Jesuits”
-Obtained highest grades in all subjects
Graduation with Highest Honors
-"Excellent" scholastic records from 1872 to 1877
"Excellent" scholastic records from 1872 to 1877
March 23, 1877, Commencement Day
Received the degree of Bachelor of Arts with highest honors

Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo

-An "emperor" inside the classroom and campus leader outside
-Secretary of the Marian Congregation
-Member of Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences
-Studied painting under the famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez (left photo)
-Sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus (right photo), noted Filipino sculptor
-Engaged in gymnastics and fencing
- Father Jose Vilaclara advised him to stop communing with the muses and pay more attention to
practical studies such as philosophy and natural science

Sculptural Works in Ateneo

-Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of "batikuling" (Philippine hardwood)
Father Lleonart requested him to carve an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
-The old Jesuit forgot to take the image with him to Spain
-Ateneo boarding students placed the image on the door of the dormitory and remain there for
many years

Anecdotes of Rizal
-Felix M. Ramos one of Rizal's contemporaries in Ateneo
-Manuel Xerex Burgos whose house Rizal boarded shortly before he became an interno in
Ateneo

Poems Written in Ateneo

Mi Primera Inspiration (My First Inspiration) - the first poem Rizal probably wrote during his
days in Ateneo.

In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, he wrote more poems such as:

-Filicitacion (Felicitation)
-El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure Hymn to Magellan's fleet)
-Y Es Espanol: Elcano, the first to circumnavigate the world)
-El Combate: Urbiztondo Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)

In 1876, Rizal wrote poerns on various topics:

-Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblu (In Memory of My Town)
-Alianza Intima Entre la Region Y La Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between Religion
and Good Education)
-Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria (Through Education the Country Receive Light)
-E Cultivero Y El Triunfo (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the
Imprisonment of Boabdil)
-La Entrada Triuntal de Los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of The Catholic
Monarches into Granada)

A year later, in 1877 he wrote more poems:

-El Heroismo de Calon (The heroism of Colombus)
-Colon y Juan II (Colombus and John II)
-Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune)

-Un Diarogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students)
Dramatic Work in Ateneo
-Father Sanchez, his favorite teacher ask him to write a drama based on the prose story of St.
Eustace the Martyr
-Summer 1876 in Calamba, he wrote the religious drama in poetic verses
-June 2 1876, finished the manuscript
-He submitted the finished manuscript entitled "San Eustacio, Martir" (St. Eustace, the Martyr)
to Father Sanchez in his last academic year in Ateneo.

First Romance of Rizal

-16 years old, experienced his first romance
-Segunda Katigbak -a pretty 14 years old Batanguena from Lipa
-Sister of his friend Mariano Katigbak
-His sister Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda in La Concordia College
-First Romance of Rizal
-Segunda was already engaged to Manuel Luz
-His first romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve
-Segunda returned to Lipa and later married Manuel Luz
-Rizal remained in Calamba, a frustrated lover, cherishing nostalgic memories of lost love

CHAPTER 5: MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-

1882)

1877-1878-Rizal finished the first year course in Philosphy and Letters then he transferred to the
medical course.
-Rizal study at the University of Santo Tomas but he remained loyal to Ateneo, where he
completed the vocation course in surveying.
-as a Thomasian, he won more literary laurels, had other romances with pretty girls and fought
against Spanish students who insulted the brown Filipino students.
UST- administered by the Dominicans.
-Dońa Teodora opposed the idea of sending Rizal to University to pursue Higher Education
because she was aware what happened to GOMBURZA. She told her husband: “Don’t send him
to Manila again; he knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Spaniards will cut off his head.”
-despite her mother’s opposition, Don Francisco told Paciano to accompany Rizal to Manila.
Rizal himself was surprised by his mother’s opposition whom he knows a woman of education in
culture.
Rizal Enters the University
April 1877- Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the UST, taking the course
on Philosophy and Letters
Reasons:
1. His father like it
2. He was still uncertain as to what career to pursue
-while Rizal was studying at UST, he also studied in Ateneo. He took the vocational course
leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor)
Vocational courses: agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
-Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
topography.
-at the age of 17, he passed the final exam in the surveying course, but he could not be granted
the title as surveyor because he was below age.
Romances with other girls
-Rizal was a romantic dreamer who liked to sip the ‘nectar of love’. His sad experienced with his
first love Segunda Katigbak, had made him wiser in the ways of romance.
-he was flirting with Miss L.-fair with seductive and attractive eyes
-but unfortunately did not succeed for a reason
2 reasons for Rizal change of heart:
1. The sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart
2. His father did not like the family of Miss L
-several later, during his sophomore year at UST, he boarded in the house of Dońa Concha
Leyva in Intramuros. The next-door neighbors of Dońa Concha were Capitan Juan and Capitana
Sanday Valenzuela from Pagsajan, Laguna, who had charming daughter named Leonor
Leonor Valenzuela- a tall girl with a regal bearing.
-Rizal send her love notes written in invisible ink. The ink consisted of common table salt and
water
Orang- pet name of Leonor Valenzuela

Leonor Rivera- Rizal cousin’s from Camiling

-a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad (Rizal youngest sister) was then studying.
-born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867
- a frail pretty girl “tender as budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes”.
TAIMIS- Leonor’s pseudonym in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their
parents and friends.
-Rizal was a victim of Spanish officer’s brutality
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
-He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher learning because
1. The Dominican Professors were hostile to him
2. The Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
3. the methods of instruction was obsolete and repressive
Result:
Rizal, the most brilliant graduate of the Ateneo, failed to win the high scholastic honors.
Decision to Study Abroad
-after finishing the fourth year of his medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. He
could no longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in the UST.
-He did not seek his parents’ permission and blessings to go abroad, because he knew that
they, especially his mother, would disapprove it.