Jose Rizal Family Tree and History

Rizal’s are considered as one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co,
the family’s paternal ascendant was full blooded Chinese who came to Philippines from Amoy,
China in the closing years of 17th century and married a half Chinese woman named Ines de la
Rosa.
Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II
and Teodora Alonso Rizal, nine sister’s and only one brother.
Don Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) was born in Binan, Laguna. He studied Latin
and Philosophy at the college of San Jose in Manila. After his parent’s death, Francisco and two
of his sister’s moved to Calamba. There he became a tenant farmer of the Dominican-owned
hacienda and later became one of the town’s wealthiest men. He was hardworking and
independent who talk less but worked more and valiant in spirit that he was able to establish a
private library and kept carriage. The name ‘Francisco’ was in high honor in Laguna for it had
belonged to a famous sea captain who had been given the ENCOMIENDA of BAY for his services.
Dona Teodora Alonso Y Realonda (1826-1911) was born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz Manila.
studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Manila. She was a woman of refined culture and character, with
exemplary literary talents and with business ability she managed their store.
Don Francisco Mercado Rizal and Dona Teodora Alonso Y Realonda was blessed with
eleven children, two boys and nine girls.
1. Saturnina (1859-1913)
The eldest child of the Rizal’s children, nicknamed “Neneng” who was married to
Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

2. Paciano (1851-1930)
He was the second child and oldest brother of Rizal. He was the one who
convinced Rizal to study in Europe without their parents’ permission. After Rizal’s
execution in December 1896 of Bagumbayan, he joined the Philippine Revolution
and became a combat general. He died at the age of 79.

3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
The third child who’s nicknamed is “Sisa” and was married to Antonio Lopez.

4. Olympia (1855-1887)
The fourth child with a nicknamed “Ypia”, who was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a
telegraph operator from Manila and was blessed with five children. She died while
giving birth in 1887.
 5. Lucia (1857-1919)
Married Mariano (nephew of father Consanas). Herbosa died because of Cholera
and was denied of Christian burial being the brother in law of Jose Rizal.

6. Maria (1859-1945)
Her nickname was “Biang” and was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan,
Laguna. The couple was blessed with five children.

7. Jose (1861-1896)
His nickname was “Pepe” the greatest Filipino hero, and peerless genius. He
became the National Hero of the Philippines. He had a common law relationship
with Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl from Hong Kong. They had a son but died a
few hours after birth. Rizal named him Francisco in honor of his father’s name.

8. Concepcion (1962-1865)
Her nickname was “Concha” who died at the age of three. 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.

10. Trinidad (1868-1952)

Her nickname was “Trining”. She was the tenth child. Died a spinster and the last
of the family to die.

11. Soledad (1870-1929)

The youngest child whose nickname is “Choleng” married to Pantaleon Quintero
of Calamba and was blessed with five children.

Jose Rizal, the 7th child of the Rizal family, was born on the 19,1861 Wednesday between
11:00 and 12:00 in the town of Calamba province of Laguna, Philippines. He was baptized in the
Catholic church in Calamba on June 22,1861 by the parish priest.
His complete name was Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal Alonzo Y 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 must be 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
Lam-co a full-blooded Chinese merchant. His 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 grandmother.
At the age of three he began to join religious processions, novena in the church and at
the age of five he has able to read the Spanish Bible with the help of his mother.
Jose loved most his little sister Concha (Concepcion) who was next to him. 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.
Dona Teodoro, Rizal’s mother was his first teacher, barely three years old Rizal learned
the alphabet from his mother. He was thought how to read and write in Spanish. As he grows
older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lesson at home. His first teacher was
Maestro Celestino and the second was Maestro Lucas Padua. Leon Monroy, a former classmate
of Rizal’s father, became the boy’s tutor. This old teacher lived at the Rizal’s home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin. 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 Binian.
Since childhood, Rizal showed an unusual talent in art and literature the described verses
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 Kababata” in English To
My Fellow Children.

Rizal’s Academic Background

At the age of three, he learned to read and write the alphabet, prayers from his mother,
Dona Teodora. His mother encouraged him to express his ideas and sentiments in verse like poem
and poetry. His memorable tale from his mother is the “Story of the Moth”. He read more than
1,000 books in their family library, that’s why he gains interest in reading and literature. He also
had skills in painting, sketching and sculpture when he was still young.
“Sa Aking Mga Kababata” is his first poem at the age of eight with the theme of “Love of
One’s Language”. Uncle Manuel encourage Rizal to learn swimming, fencing, wrestling, and
sports. Cousin of Teodoro Uncle Jose taught Rizal how to paint, sketch and sculp. Uncle Gregorio
encourage Rizal to have love in education, Brother of Teodora.
Maestro Celestino was Jose’s first tutor while Maestro Lucas Padua was his second tutor
teacher. Leon Monroy taught Rizal of Rudiments of Latin and Spanish for almost five months.
After the death of Leon Monroy, Rizal was sent to a private school in Binan, Laguna. Maestro
Joaquin Aquino Cruz taught Rizal in Latin and Spanish in Binan, Laguna after Leon Monroy death.
 Jose Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Binan. It was a typical schooling that a
son of an illustrator family received during his time, characterized by the four R’s- reading,
writing, arithmetic and religion.
Jose Rizal entered in Ateneo De Manila in 1872. He belonged to the class composed of
Spaniards, mestiza and Filipino. His teacher was Father Jose Bech. To improve his Spanish Rizal
took private lessons in Santa Isabel College. He graduated on March 23, 1877. He received the
degree of bachelor of arts with highest honor, not a valedictorian. After graduating he continued
his education at UST. He decided to shift to a medical course. During his first term in 1877-1878
in UST, he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy and History of Philosophy. It was during
the school term 1878-1879 that Rizal pursued his studied in medicine. During his last year at the
University, Rizal had obtained global grade of notable in all of his subjects, and he was the second-
best student in a decimated class of seven who passed the medicine course. After which, Rizal
decided to study in Spain. His departure going Spain was kept secret from Spanish Authorities,
friars and even his parents especially his mother doesn’t know that he will go to Spain because it
is surely that his mother will not allow him to go. To avoid detection, he used the name Jose
Mercado. On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid taking up two
courses Philosophy and Letters, and Medicine. On June 21,1884, he conferred the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine. Unfortunately, he was not able to submit the thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. With that, he was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma.
He also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid June
19, 1885 with the rating of excellent.
Jose Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialized in ophthalmology. Among all
branches, he chose this specialization because he wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight. In
1885, after studying at the Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal who was then 29 years old went
to Paris to acquire more knowledge in ophthalmology.
On February 3, 1886, after gathering some experience in ophthalmology, he left Paris and
went to Heidelberg, Germany. He worked at the University Eye Hospital under the direction of
Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist. On April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a poem
entitled “A los Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of Heidelberg) because he was fascinated
by the blooming flowers along the Neckar River, which was the light blue flower called “Forget
me Not”. On August 14, 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig on history.
Jose Rizal earned a licentiate in medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he
also took courses in philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he began writing Noli Me
Tangere. He also attended classes in the University of Paris and in 1887, he completes his eye
specialization course at the University of Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel
was published in Berlin Manila newspaper published both Spanish and Tagalog.
 Jose Rizal Travel and Studies
Jose Rizal continued his four years of medical course at UST. He decided to continue his
studies in Spain supported by his brother and sister. Saturnina and Lucia and Uncle Antonio Rivera
and friends.
May 1,1882, he began farewell letters to his friends and family using the name Jose
Mercado, Jose Rizal departure going Spain was made possible. May 3, 1882, Rizal left on abroad
the Spain streamer ship SALVADORA which bound to Singapore. After five days of sailing the
SALVADORA reached the English Colony of Singapore. He was the only Filipino and rest were
Spaniards, British and Indian Negros. His two days stop over were spent most of the time in
visiting the historic place, temples, botanical garden, art galleries and statue of Sir Thomas
Stanford raffles founder of Singapore in 1819.
From Singapore to Colombo, Sri Lanka (CEYLON) May 11,1882 from Singapore he boarded
the DJEMNAH; a French streamer bound for EUROPE. May 17, 1882, DJEMNAH made its stop
over at the Point Galle a seacoast town in Southern Ceylon (new Sri-Lanka) which is picturesque
but lonely, quiet and at the same time sad.
May 18, 1882 the ship headed north and docked at Colombo capital of Ceylon. He wrote
“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.
DJEMNAH continued to voyage crossing Indian Ocean to the Gape of Guardafui-the coast of
African which for Rizal was an inhospitable land but famous. Aden was the next stop over where
Rizal first time to stepped in Africa soil and saw real camels. From Aden the DJEMNAH arrived at
the port said in the city of Suez, the Red Sea Terminal of Suez Canal.
June 11, 1882, they arrived at Napoli (now Naples, Italy) Rizal never wasted time to
explore the first European territory in his sight June 12, 1882 after the brief stop at Napoli, the
ship proceeded to Marseilles. They arrived at the French Harbor. He visited the famous chateau
where Dantes the hero of “The Count of Mount Cristo” was imprisoned.
June 15, 1882, Rizal left the Marseilles by train bound for Barcelona. The train crossed
Pyrenees and stopped for a day at Port Bou. June 16, 1882, they reached Barcelona, in Barcelona
he wrote a nationalistic easy entitled “Love od Country” (Amor Patrio) under the pen name Laong
Laon. He sent this to his friend Basilio Teodoro Moran publisher of Diariong Tagalog the first
Manila newspaper published both Spanish and Tagalog.
November 3,1882, he left Barcelona. He enrolled at the Central University of Madrid, for
the licentiate in medicine and philosophy and letters. He took up lessons in painting and sculpture
at the Academia d77747261e Ballas de San Fernando. Two books left a deep impression on him
that heightened his sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people first is Uncle Tom’s
Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and the second is The Wondering Law by Eugene Saw.
 During his first summer vacation in Madrid from June 17 to August 20.1883, he went to
Paris. He discovered the political possibilities of becoming a Mason so he joined the Masonic
lodge called ACACIA in Madrid with the masonic name DIMASALANG. While joining masonry he
was writing his “Noli Me Tangere”.
In Geneva, Switzerland Rizal celebrate his 26th birthday. After two weeks he toured Italy.
He visited the famous cities of Venice, Turin, Milan, Florence and Rome. In Rome it was regarded
as an “Eternal City” and the “City of Caesars”. The Vatican is the “Seat of Authority of the Roman
Catholic of Popes”. Rizal stay in Rome for almost one week and headed back home.