Reviewer in Rizal youth, especially during their

formative and decisive years in

Week 1 - Rizal’s Life, Works and school, should be suffused;
Writings – Importance of the Subject ● All educational institutions are
under the supervision of, and
Why study the life and works of Jose subject to regulation by the State,
Rizal? and all schools are enjoined to
● First and foremost, because it is develop moral character,
mandated by law. personal discipline, civic
● Secondly, because of the lessons conscience and to teach the
contained within the course itself. duties of citizenship;

Republic Act No. 1425 - June 12, 1956 SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works
an act to include in the curricula of all and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly
public and private schools, colleges and his novel Noli Me Tangere and El
universities courses on the life, works Filibusterismo, shall be included in the
and writings of jose rizal, particularly his curricula of all schools, colleges and
novels noli me tangere and el universities, public or private: Provided,
filibusterismo, authorizing the printing That in the collegiate courses, the
and distribution thereof and for other original or unexpurgated editions of the
purposes. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
or their English translation shall be used
● Today, more than any other as basic texts.
period of our history, there is a
need for a rededication to the Republic Act No. 1425
ideals of freedom and nationalism - The Board of National Education
for which our heroes lived and is hereby authorized and directed
died; It is meet that in honoring to adopt forthwith measures to
them, particularly the national implement and carry out the
hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we provisions of this Section,
remember with special fondness including the writing and printing
and devotion their lives and of appropriate primers, readers
works that have shaped the and textbooks.
national character;
● the life, works and writing of Jose Claron M. Recto - main proponent of
Rizal, particularly his novels Noli the Rizal bill which later became law in
Me Tangere and El 1956.
Filibusterismo, are a constant
and inspiring source of patriotism Jose P. Laurel - co-wrote the law.
with which the minds of the
“The people who would eliminate the and had tutored former president
books of Rizal from the schools ould blot sergio osmena.
out from our minds the memory of the ● Leonor rivera (maria clara) rizal’s
national hero. This is not a fight against true love had a son who married
Recto but a fight against Rizal” the sister of the former president
(Ocampo, 2021, p23). of the united nations general
assembly Carlos P. Romulo.
The Rizal Bill became the Republic Act ● Filipina beauty queen Gemma
No. 1425, known as the “Rizal Law” An Cruz is a descendant of Rizal's
Act to include in the curricula of All sister, Maria.
Public and Private Schools, Colleges ● The sportscaster Chino Trinidad
and Universities Courses on the Life, is a descendant of rizal’s first love
works and Writings of Jose Rizal” Segunda Katigbak.
● The original manuscripts of
Rizal law aims to accomplish the Rizal's novels Noli and Fili were
following goals: once stolen for ransom but
Alejandro Roces had retrieved
1. To rededicate the lives of youth them without paying even a
to the ideals of freedom and single centavo.
nationalism, for which our heroes
lived and died Week 2 - Prologue - The world of
2. To pay tribute to our national Rizal’s Times
hero for devoting his life and
works to shaping the Filipino ● February 19, 1861 – The liberal
character Czar Alexander 11 appears the
3. To gain an inspiring source of using discontent of the Russian
patriotism through the study of masses issued a proclamation
Rizal’s life, works, and writings emancipating 22,500,000 serfs
● June 19. 1861 – American Civil
● Rizal’s life is full of fascinating War was raging furiously in the
non-fictional accounts. United States over the issues of
● Rizal was involved in a love Negro slavery.
triangle with Antonio Luna as also ● This compelled President Lincoln
part of the romantic equation. to issue his famous Emancipation
● Rizal was a model in some of Proclamation on September 22,
Juan Luna's paintings. 1863, freeing the Negro slaves
● Rizal’s common-law wife
Josephine Bracken was ● June 1, 1861 – Benito Juarez,
remarried to a man from Cebu was elected the President of
Mexico. After a year his election
 Emperor Napoleon III of the ● Otto Von Bismark, the “Iron
Second French Empire, in his Chancellor” defeated France in
imperialistic desire to secure a the Franco-Prussian war and
colonial stake in Latin America, established the German Empire
sent French troops which invade on January 18, 1871, with the
and conquer Mexico. King Wilhelm of Prussia as the
First Kaiser of the German
● Napoleon III, installed Archduke Empire. With the defeat of
Maximilian of Austria as puppet Emperor Napoleon his Second
emperor of Mexico City on June the French Empire collapsed and
12, 1864. In the Battle of over its ruin, the third Republic
Queretaro, President Juarez with arose, with Adolph Thiers first
the help of the US troops President.
defeated the Maximilian forces
and executed Emperor ● The times of Rizal saw the
Maximilian thus, fizzled out flowering of Western Imperialism
Napoleon’s ambition to colonize and it was England who emerged
Latin America as the leading imperialist.

● After the end of the American ● Other imperialist countries

Civil War, Juarez, the United followed Britain’s example like
States support, defeated France, the Dutch, and Russia
Maximillian’s French forces in the
Battle of Queretaro (May 15, ● It was July 8, 1853 - an
1867) and executed Emperor American squadron under the
Maximilian on June 19, 1867. Command of Commodore
Matthew C. Perry re-opened
● In the birth of Rizals, the Italians Japan to the World.
under the leadership of Count,
Cavour and Garibaldi and his ● August 25, 1885 - the German
army of “Red Shirts” drove out warship entered the harbor Yap
the Austrians and French Armies and claimed it thus enraging
from Holy and proclaimed the Spain who claimed sovereignty
kingdom of Italy under King Victor over the Carolines and Palaus by
Emmanuel with Rome as the right of discovery by Francisco
capital city. Lezcano who named it Carolina
in Honor of King Charles II.
● On the other hand, the Prussians
led by ● To abort the brewing conflict
between the two countries, both
 submitted the Carolina Question industrial revolution which was
to Pope Leo XIII fueled by a commercial
revolution. Both revolutions
● At That time, Spain lost her rich existed together and were the
colonies in Latin America cause and result of each other as
(Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, European nations developed a
Colombia, and Ecuador, and the desire for foreign goods, which
Central American countries could not be produced efficiently
(Costa Rica, Honduras, in Europe.
Guatemala, El Salvador,
Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, ● These goods include coffee,
Bolivia, and Uruguay). chocolate, cane sugar, cotton,
and tobacco.
● Colonies that remained under her
rule were Cuba, Puerto Rico, and ● Before the 19th century, the
the Philippines. procurement of such goods was
achieved through cheap labor
● The evils during the Spanish rule including slave labor. However,
in the Philippines were the the advancement of science at
instability of colonial that time led to the
administration, corrupt officials, invention of machines such as
lack of Philippine representation the steam engine. This invention
in Spanish Cortes, and human began to replace sailing ships
rights denied to Filipinos. There and it became easier to reach
was no equality before the law, countries where the goods
there was maladministration of needed by European countries
justice, there was also racial were found.
discrimination, frailocracy, forced
labor, and haciendas owned by ● The same invention began to
the friars and the guardia civil. replace manual labor in industries
like textile
The 19th Century: The Century of weaving and animal power in
Rizal, the Age of the Commercial and transportation. The cotton gin
Industrial Revolution made the removal of cotton
seeds from fibers more efficient
● The 19th century was the century than slaves. Slavery was
of Rizal. deemed human in the earlier Age
of Enlightenment, which
● On a worldwide scale the 19th preached equality among all
century was a period of the men, and it was abolished in
 Europe. In the northern states of
the United States, machines The onset of the commercial revolution
replaced slave labor and it was in spelled out the knell of monopolies as
the South where it persisted until businessmen demanded greater access
the American Civil War. to the markets.
1. Previously countries like Spain,
In the Philippines, when the the United Kingdom, and the
island was still a Spanish colony, Netherlands conducted
it was affected by the twin international trade through state
commercial and industrial monopolies.
revolutions that were affecting
Europe. The nature of the 2. In Spain, it was the galleon
economy of the islands began to trade and later the Real
change as the Philippines, which Compania de Espana.
used to be a mere entrepot or
transshipment point for the 3. In the United Kingdom, it was
galleon trade, began to serve the British East India Company
the world market by exporting its which operated in Asia
own products. These products
were sugar, tobacco, and some 4. The Netherlands had the
coffee. Dutch East India Company.

● The Philippine commodity which Corruption and inefficiency

was found ideal for making eventually led to the abolition of
ropes. This material was abaca state monopolies and anybody
fiber. Unlike the original material wishing to engage in international
used for making ropes, the abaca trade may enter the business.
was found to be more durable This led to a laissez faire
and resistant to seawater. economy where there were no
Since it was exported from more government controls and
Manila, abaca became known prices were dictated by
as Manila hemp. Various firms, supply and demand.
especially American companies
serve shipbuilding firms in New The galleon trade - was
York, Massachusetts, and abolished and the last galleon
Connecticut spurred the demand returned to the Philippines
for abaca. These crops converted without any cargo in 1817.
the Philippine economy from an
entrepot – based economy to Trade with Mexico and other
that of a cash crop economy. countries was carried on by
private ships. Foreign traders entrepreneurial acumen can
were also doing business in the engage in trade.
Philippines in violation of the 1. To benefit the traders in
royal decrees prohibiting trade contact with the foreign
with other European countries merchants.
including Spain’s enemies like the 2. The managers of farms leased
United Kingdom. The American for agriculture. More lands were
vessel Astrea sailed directly to opened up to be converted into
the Philippines to load a cargo farms. Big landowners lease their
of sugar in 1796.(70 days only). lands to primary tenants called
Technology therefore allowed inquilinos.
goods to be shipped faster.
These inquilinos sublease the
What was the effect of lands to sharecroppers or tenants
technology on the commercial known as Kasamas.
revolution at that time?
The inquilinos sold the goods
When technology is shipped locally or abroad. Because of
faster, thus these can be sold their contact with other traders,
faster. The best price in the they can profit enormously.
market can be offered for goods They began to have bahay na
when these are shipped faster bato or stone houses, they
from their destinations. became the local elite and
formed the nucleus of the middle
Competition arose that led to the class.
opening of Manila to foreign trade ● They send their children to
in the city. (1834) a better education than the
ordinary indios.
Foreign businessmen - create ● They can now go to
demand for finished goods made colleges and universities in
in Europe and America. Manila or even abroad.

The local elite - were the buyers What is the dark side of the
of the goods and the emerging commercial revolution in the
middle class benefited from Philippines?
trade.
1. There is a demand for agricultural
With the demand for Philippine goods and more lands to be opened for
agricultural goods, anybody with cultivation.
2. Lands were titled to those who could
read and write. ● Power remains in some people’s
hands because the people
3. Practices like land grabbing and allowed it and the rulers
duping of illiterate landowners became remained in power as long as the
common. people allowed it.

4. People with means including religious ● This social contract theory was
orders owned lands. taught by the French noble Baron
de Montesquieu and the
5. The increasing gap between the rich Englishman John Locke made
and the poor. the people realize that the
monarch is bound to provide
Another dark aspect of the commercial good and just governance to the
revolution would be the increasing gap people who will render him in
between the rich and the poor. Before, allegiance.
the natives and half-breeds called
mestizos were just equal. But with ● Failure to abide by such a social
entrepreneurship, some people like the contract gives the people the
inquilinos who consist mostly of right to remove him, violently if
mestizos and some indios, rose above necessary, and replace him with
the others becoming the local elite. one who would honor this
Lacandulas, Macapagals, and the covenant with the people.
Punzalans). Their economic rise
became possible because of the sweat ● Motivated by other philosophers
and toil of the sharecroppers who did such as Rousseau, Montesquieu,
actual cultivation of the fields. and Locke and even Americans
like Benjamin Franklin and
The poor tenants either had to bear the Thomas Jefferson preached that
burden of the sharecropping system or men had God-given rights that
the taxes and levies of the government. could not be taken away unless it
Because of the oppression from the was necessary to preserve order
inquilinos, the traders, and the and freedom.
government, some farmers left or were
evicted from their farms to become ● These include:
remontados in the surrounding hills. ● the right to speech, and
This was how groups like the Dios-Dios expression, the right to be
group in Samar, and bandit in the unhindered in thinking, freedom
Sierra Madre were formed. of rebellion, assembly, equality
Change in Political Thinking
before the law, the freedom of ● The liberal-minded
abode, the right Spaniards formed the
to be secure in one’s own home, Spanish Cortes or
freedom from illegal searches parliament and later
and detention, the right to have drafted the Constitution of
his side heard in a court of law the Cadiz in 1812.
and to face his accuser, the right
to testify against oneself, the right ● It was extended to the Philippines
to be represented in government and was given representation in
and to be consulted on matters of the Cortes.
legislation and taxation.
Ventura delos Reyes - was elected as
Political Change in Spain a trader in Manila.
- He arrived in Cadiz in 1813 and
● Due to political upheavals participated in the deliberation of
from France Spain was the Cortes, which was the
very much affected. abolition of the galleon trade.

● Representative The Cadiz Constitution gave equal

government was already rights to both Spanish citizens and
implanted in the minds of colonials. It abolished forced labor but
liberal-minded Spaniards. was short-lived because Napoleon
pulled out all French troops from Spain
● Some of the Spanish and Ferdinand VII resumed absolute
patriots were liberals and rule.
believed that power should
be shared with the people He dissolved the Cortes and abrogated
and that the government the Cadiz Constitution. He also
must follow a basic law imprisoned all liberals who wanted to
that is approved by the share power with the monarchy. He was
people. called El Deseado (El Rey Traidor-
The Traitor King)
● This was in contrast with
the monarchists who The Force was reinstated in the
believed in the Divine Philippines.
rights of Kings.
● The Kilianes or leading citizens in
● They believed that the the Ilocos thought this was a ploy
power of the king to rule from Manila protested.
was absolute.
 ● 1833- Ferdinand died and his - Other ports opened to world trade such
wife Cristina ruled as Queen as:
Regent for her daughter Queen - Iloilo in Visayas
Isabella II. - Sual in Pangasinan
- Zamboanga in Mindanao
● That was the time when the
Philippines was not granted The beneficiaries of the new economic
representation from the Spanish order were the traders and
Cortes. inquilinos as brisk trade in agricultural
products brought new wealth.
● The abrogation of the Cadiz
Constitution, forced labor was - The Bahay na Bato were introduce.
reinstated in the Philippines. - Other products were introduced such
as:
1812 - a small group of soldiers sent to a. embroidered shirt or barong
Latin America to fight the separatist tagalog rendered in jusi and pina
rebels and representation was again fiber
allowed for the Philippines. b. headgear adorned with silver
were signs of their affluence.
1833 - Ferdinand died and his wife C. In the provinces – a coffee
Maria Cristina ruled as Queen Regent boom in 1830’s
for her daughter who would become d. The houses of the new rich
Queen Isabella II. had azotea or balconies.
e. living rooms were adorned with
She was forced by the liberals to European musical instruments
reconvene the Cortes and grant f. women wore spatillas (slippers)
representation to the people and the
colonies. 1. The Rise of the Middle Class
2. Obstacle of the Middle Class:
It was the time when the Cortes Limpieza de Sangre
convened in a secret session and 3. The Intellectual Shift: From Religion
decided that the Philippines should not to Science
be granted representation. 4. The Spanish Empire in Rizal’s Time
5. The Soberania Monacal-Monastic
The Rise of the Middle Class Supremacy in the Philippines

in Manila was opened to global trade Week 3 - Rizal Ancestry

that spurred changes in Philippine
Society. * Siang-co- and Zun-nio of Fujian, China
* Their son Lam-co migrated to the - He married a Chinese mestizo
Philippines in the late 1600s named Ines Dela Rosa.
* Lam-co adopted the name “Domingo” "Mercado" means market.
and married Ines dela Rosa ‘Rizal or Ricial’ - means green field or
* The daughter of Agustin Chin-co and pasture
Jacinta Rafaela, a Chinese mestiza
resident of the Parian. Domingo and Ines had many
children.
Ancestral roots of Rizal
1. Francisco Mercado - named
The parents of Jose Rizal were both after one of Domingo’s friar –
farmers who were granted by the friends.
Dominicans the lease of a hacienda - Bernarda Monica who lived in
together with a rice farm. The mother of nearby hacienda of San Pedro
Jose Rizal, Teodora had Spanish and - In 1783- he was elected
Japanese ancestors while the father of gobernadorcillo or municipal
Teodora was a half Spaniard engineer Mayor in Binan. Re-elected in
known as Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo. 1813 and 1823.

Rizal’s Family Tree and Ancestry His son Juan Mercado was elected
capitán del pueblo in 1808.
● As a well-known Rizalist, Dr. - Juan Mercado was married to a
Austin Craig was the first to trace Chinese mestiza named Cirila
Rizal’s family roots and discover Alejandro.
his Chinese ancestry. - The marriage produced 13
children. One of these children
Don Domingo Lamco - (Chinese was Francisco Engracio
name: ''Cue Yi-Lam) Mercado who was Rizal’s father.
- The great-great-grandfather of
Jose Rizal. Cirila Alejandra - daughter of an
- In 1690 – Lam Co migrated to the immigrant trader and Domingo Lamco's
Philippines and settled in Manila. baptismal godson Siong-co.
- At the age of 35, he was baptized ● They are the parents of Rizal’s
into the Catholic faith in Binondo father.
by the Dominicans. ● When Rizal’s father was born, the
- He was a successful family transferred to Calamba.
entrepreneur despite the ● The house they built was the first
discrimination experienced by stone house in the whole town.
Chinese traders from the
Spaniards.
 ● Recent genealogical findings 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba,
revealed that Rizal also had Laguna.
Spanish, Japanese, and - He was the seventh child in a
Negrito ancestry. family of 11 children (2 boys and
● Teodora’s - (Rizal’s mom) 9 girls).
● Eugenio Ursua - great Francisco Mercado Rizal - an
grandfather was a descendant of industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a
Japanese settlers. model of fathers," came from Biñan,
● Ursua married a Filipina named Laguna
Benigna and their union
produced Regina Ursua. Atty. Teodora Alonzo y Quintos - a highly
Manuel de Quintos, a Sangley cultured and accomplished woman
mestizo from Pangasinán married whom Rizal called "loving and prudent
Regina and their daughter is mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz,
named Brigida. Manila.
● Brigida married a half-caste
Spaniard named Lorenzo At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet
Alberto Alonzo. from his mother; at 5, while learning to
● They are the parents of Teodora read and write, he already showed
and Rizal’s grandfather. inclinations to be an artist.

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Dona Teodora (1826-1911) - was born

Alonso Realonda - was born in Manila on November 8, 1826, and
on the moonlit night of Wednesday, was educated at the College of Santa
June 19, 1861, in the Lakeshore town of Rosa, a well-known college for girls in
Calamba in the Province of Laguna. the city.
- He was baptized in a Catholic - She was a remarkable woman,
church in Calamba on June 22, possessing refined culture,
1861, when he was 3 days old by literary talent, business ability,
the Batangueno parish priest, Fr. and the fortitude of Spartan
Rufino Collantes. women.
- Fr. Casanas - one of the - Rizal lovingly said: My mother
godfathers of Rizal is a woman of more than ordinary
- The name Jose was given by his culture; she knows literature and
mother, Teodora Alonso for she speaks Spanish better than I.
was a devotee of St. Joseph. - She corrected my poems and
- JOSE RIZAL, the national hero gave me good advice when I was
of the Philippines and pride of the studying rhetoric.
Malayan race, was born on June - She is a mathematician and has
read many books
- She died in Manila on August 16, Spaniards executed him on
1911, at the age of 85. December 30, 1896.

1. SATURNINA RIZAL/ NENENG 8. CONCEPCION RIZAL/CONCHA

(1850-1913) - Eldest child of the (1862-1865) - The eight children.
Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Died at the age of three.
Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of
Tanauan, Batangas 9. JOSEFA RIZAL/PENGGOY
(1865-1945) - The ninth child. An
2. PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930) - epileptic, died a spinster.
Only brother of Jose Rizal and
the second child. Studied at San 10. TRINIDAD RIZAL/ TRINING
Jose College in Manila; became (1868-1951) - The tenth child.
a farmer and later a general of He died a spinster and the last of
the Philippine Revolution. the family to die.

3. NARCISA RIZAL/ SISA 11. SOLEDAD RIZAL/ CHOLENG

(1852-1939) - The third child. (1870-1929) - The youngest child
married Antonio Lopez at married Pantaleon Quintero.
Morong, Rizal; a teacher and
musician. ● The relationship between them
was affectionately cordial.
4. OLYMPIA RIZAL/ YPIA
(1855-1887) - The fourth child. ● Rizal as a typical child used to
Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in play games with his sisters. Even
1887 from childbirth. though Jose has boyish quarrels
with his siblings, he respects
5. LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919) - them.
The fifth child. Married Matriano
Herbosa. ● Years later when he grew to
manhood, he always called them
6. MARIA RIZAL Dona or Senora (if married),
/BIANG(1859-1945) - The sixth and Senorita (if single)
child. Married Daniel Faustino
Cruz of Biñan, Laguna. The Rizal Home

7. JOSE RIZAL / PEPE ● The house of the Rizal family,

(1861-1896) - The second son where the hero was born, was
and the seventh child. The one of the distinguished stone
 houses in Calamba during the naturalist, novelist,
Spanish era. ophthalmologist, physician, poet,
● A Good and Middle-Class Family propagandist, sculptor, and
sociologist. ethnologist,
● The Rizal family belonged to the
principalia, a town aristocracy in Rizal’s Schooling
the Spanish Philippines. It was
one of the distinguished families Early Schooling in Binan
in Calamba. ● Jose had a very vivid imagination
● As evidence of their affluence, and a very keen sense of
Rizal’s parents were able to build observation.
a large stone house which was ● At the age of seven he traveled
situated near the town church. with his father for the first time to
● They owned a carriage which Manila and then went to Antipolo
was a status symbol of the to fulfill the promise of a
illustrados in Spanish Philippines pilgrimage made by his mother at
and a private the time of his birth.
library, the biggest in Calamba, ● They embarked on a casco, a
consisting of 1,000 volumes. very ponderous vessel commonly
used in the Philippines. It was his
Home life of the Rizal’s first trip to the lake Jose could
● The Rizal family has a simple, recollect.
contented, and happy life. By ● As darkness fell he spent the
Filipino custom, family ties hours by the katig, admiring the
among the Rizal’s were intimately grandeur of the water and the
close. stillness of the night, although he
● Don Francisco and Dona Teodora was seized with a superstitious
loved their children, but they fear when he saw a water snake
never spoiled them. entwine itself around the bamboo
● They were strict parents and they beams of the katig.
trained their children to love God, ● With what joy did he see the sun
to behave well, to be obedient, at daybreak, as its luminous rays
and to respect people, especially shone upon the glistening surface
the old folks. of the wide lake, producing a
● As a polymath, he was an brilliant effect!
architect, artist, educator, ● With what joy did he talk to his
economist, ethnologist, scientific father, for he had not uttered a
farmer, historian, inventor, word during the night!
journalist, linguist, musician,
mythologist, nationalist,
 ● When they proceeded to ● Rizal had his early education in
Antipolo, he experienced the Calamba and Biñan. It was a
sweetest typical schooling that a son of an
● emotions upon seeing the gay ilustrado family received during
banks of the Pasig and the towns his time, characterized by the
of Cainta and Taytay. four R’s- reading, writing,
● In Antipolo he prayed, kneeling arithmetic, and religion.
before the image of the Virgin of ● Instruction was rigid and strict.
Peace and Good Voyage, of ● Knowledge was forced into the
whom he would later sing in minds of the pupils using the
elegant verses. tedious memory method aided by
● Then he saw Manila, the great the teacher’s whip.
metropolis, with its Chinese sores ● Despite the defects of the
and European bazaars. Spanish system of elementary
● And visited his elder sister, education, Rizal was able to
Saturnina, in Santa Ana, who acquire the necessary instruction
was a boarding student at preparatory for college work in
Concordia College. Manila.
● When he was nine years old, his ● It may be said that Rizal, who
father sent him to Biñan to was born a physical weakling,
continue studying Latin, because rose to become an intellectual
his first teacher had died. His giant not because of, but rather
brother Paciano took him to despite, the outmoded and
Biñan one Sunday, and Jose backward system of instruction
bade his parents and sisters obtained in the Philippines during
goodbye with tears in his eyes. the last decades of the Spanish
regime.
● They arrived at Biñan in the
evening. The Hero’s First Teacher
● His brother took him to the house ● The first teacher of Rizal was his
of his aunt where he was to stay, mother, who was a remarkable
and left him after introducing him woman of good character and
to the teacher. fine culture. On her lap, he
● At night, in the company of his learned at the age of three the
aunt’s grandson Leandro, Jose alphabet and the prayers. "My
took a walk around the town in mother," wrote Rizal in his
the light of the moon. student memoirs, "taught me how
to read and to say haltingly the
Early Education in Calamba and humble prayers which I raised
Binan fervently to God."
● As a tutor, Doña Teodora was rode in a carromata, reaching
patient, conscientious, and their destination after one and
understanding. It was she who one-half hours’ drive.
first discovered that her son had ● They proceeded to their aunt’s
a talent for poetry. Accordingly, house, where Jose was to lodge.
she encouraged him to write It was almost night when they
poems. To lighten the monotony arrived, and the moon was about
of memorizing the ABC’s and to to rise.
stimulate her son’s imagination, ● That same night, Jose, with his
she related many stories. cousin named Leandro, went
● sightseeing in the town.
● As Jose grew older, his parents ● Instead of enjoying the sights,
employed private tutors to give Jose became depressed because
him lessons at home. of homesickness.
● The first was Maestro Celestino ● "In the moonlight," he recounted,
and the second, was Maestro "I remembered my hometown, my
Lucas Padua. idolized mother, and my
● Later, an old man named Leon solicitous sisters.
Monroy, a former classmate of ● Ah, how sweet to me was
Rizal’s father, became the boy’s Calamba, my town, in spite of the
tutor. fact that was not as wealthy as
● This old teacher lived at the Rizal Biñan.“
home and instructed Jose in
Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, First Day in Binan School
he did not live long. He died five ● The next morning (Monday)
months later. Paciano brought his younger
● After Monroy’s death, the hero’s brother to the school of Maestro
parents decided to send their Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
gifted son to a private school in ● The school was in the house of
Biñan. the teacher, which was a small
nipa hut about 30 meters from
Jose Goes to Binan the home of Jose’s aunt.
● One Sunday afternoon in June ● Paciano knew the teacher quite
1869, Jose, after kissing the well because he had been a pupil
hands of his parents and a tearful under him before. He introduced
parting from his sister left Jose to the teacher, after which
● Calamba for Biñan. he departed to return to
● He was accompanied by Calamba.
Paciano, who acted as his
second father. The two brothers
 ● The boys in the class, especially Manuel, defeated the bigger boy.
Pedro, the teacher’s son laughed For this feat, he became popular
at Jose’s answers. among his classmates.
● The teacher sharply stopped all
noises and began the lessons of ● After the class in the afternoon, a
the day. classmate named Andres
● Jose described his teacher in Salandanan challenged him to an
Biñan as follows: "He was tall, arm-wrestling match.
thin, long-necked, with a sharp ● They went to the sidewalk of a
nose and a body slightly bent house and wrestled with their
forward, and he used to wear a arms. Jose, having the weaker
sinamay shirt, woven by the arm, lost and nearly cracked his
skilled hands of the women of head on the sidewalk.
Batangas. ● In succeeding days he had other
● He knew by heart the grammar of fights with the boys of Biñan.
Nebrija and Gainza. Add to this ● He was not quarrelsome by
severity that in my judgment was nature but never ran away from a
exaggerated and you have a fight.
picture, perhaps vague, that I ● Jose spent his leisure hours with
have made of him, but I Justiniano’s father-in-law, who is
remember only this." a master painter. From him, he
took his first two sons, two
First School Brawl nephews, and a grandson.
● In the afternoon of his first day in ● His way of life was methodical
school, when the teacher was and well-regulated. He heard
having his siesta, Jose met the mass at four if there was one that
bully, Pedro. He was angry at this early, or studied his lesson at that
bully for making fun of him during hour and went to mass afterward.
his conversation with the teacher ● Returning home, he might look in
in the morning. the orchard for a mambolo fruit to
● Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. eat, then he took his breakfast,
The latter readily accepted, consisting generally of a plate of
thinking that he could easily beat rice and two dried sardines.
the Calamba boy who was
smaller and younger. ● After that, he would go to class,
● The two boys wrestled furiously from which he was dismissed at
in the classroom, much to the ten, then home again.
glee of their classmates. ● He ate with his aunt and then
● Jose, having learned the art of began at ten, then home again.
wrestling from his athletic Tio
 He ate with his aunt and then
began to study. Best Student in School
● At half past two he returned to ● In academic studies, Jose beat
class and left at five. all Biñan boys. He surpassed
● He might play for a short time them all in Spanish, Latin, and
with some cousins before other subjects.
returning home. He studied his ● Some of his older classmates
lessons, drew for a while, and were jealous of his intellectual
then prayed and if there was a superiority.
moon, his friends would invite ● They wickedly squealed at the
him to play in the street in teacher whenever Jose had a
company with other boys. fight outside the school, and even
● Whenever he remembered his told lies to discredit him before
town, he thought with tears in his the teacher’s eyes.
eyes of his beloved father, his Consequently, the teacher had to
idolized mother, and his solicitous punish Jose.
sisters. ● “The youth is the hope of our
● While he was studying in Biñan, future.”
he returned to his hometown now
and then. At the University of Santo Tomas
● How long the road seemed to him
in going and how short in coming! ● Fortunately, Rizal’s first romance,
When from afar he descried the with its bitter disillusionment, did
roof of his house, secret joy filled not adversely affect his studies at
his breast. the University of Santo Tomas.
● How he looked for pretexts to ● His love for higher education
remain longer at home! A day proved to be greater than his love
more seemed to him a day spent for a pretty girl. After finishing the
in heaven, and how he wept, first year of the course in
though silently and secretly when Philosophy and Letters
he saw the calesa that was a (1877-780), he transferred to a
flower that him Biñan! medical course.
● Then everything looked sad; a ● During the year of his studies in
flower that he touched, a stone the university, which was under
that attracted his attention he the Dominicans, rival education
gathered, fearful that he might of the Jesuits, he remained loyal
not see it again upon his return. to Ateneo, where he continued to
● It was a sad but delicate quite participate in extra-curricular
pain that possessed him. activities and completed the
education course in surveying.
 ● As a Thomasian, he won more ● Fearful of the Spanish authorities
literary laurels, had more who seem to frown on those
romances with girls, and fought Filipinos who learn too much, she
against Spanish students. warned her husband. “Do not
send Jose again to Manila. If gets
to know too much, they will cut off
Mother’s position in higher education his head!”Jose, who was present
● After graduating with the highest in their family council when his
position in Ateneo, Rizal had to mother said this was shocked.
go to the University of Santo ● He knew her mother was a
Tomas to prepare himself for a woman of education and culture:
private career. she even taught him and inspired
● The Bachelor of arts degree him to write poetry; she came
during Spanish times was from a family of high learning –
equivalent to a high school her brother ( and his uncle) Jose
diploma today. It merely qualified Alberto Alonso had been
its holder to enter a university. educated abroad and could
● Both Don Francisco and Paciano speak multiple Spanish, French,
that Jose should pursue higher English, and German.
learning. But Dona Teodora did
not want him to study more. She Rizal enters the university
had a premonition that too much ● In April 1877, Rizal, who was
knowledge would imperil his barely 16 years old, matriculated
child's life. at the University of Santo Tomas
taking up Philosophy and Letters.
● In a family council in Rizal’s home ● He enrolled in this course for two
in Calamba, she vigorously reasons:
objected to having her beloved (1) his father liked it and
Jose acquire a higher education. (2) he was “still uncertain as to
● She was thinking of the safety of what career to follow”.
her son. She knows the fate of ● He had written to Father Pablo
Filipino intellectuals Father Ramon, Recto of the Ateneo,
Burgos, and Dr. Antonio Ma. who had been good to him during
Regidor, Jose Ma. his days in Ateneo, asking for
● Basa and others of 1872-who advice on the choice of career.
were either executed or exiled by
the Spanish authorities and The reasons why he studied
blamed their sad fate on their medicine were:
learning.
1.) he wanted to be a physician so that to study in Spain. He could no
he could cure his mother’s failing longer endure the rampant
eyesight. bigotry, discrimination, and
2.) The Father Recto of the University, hostility in UST.
whom he consulted for a choice of ● His uncle, Antonio Rivera,
career, finally answered his letter and Leonor’s father, encouraged him
recommended medicine. to go abroad. Both Paciano and
Saturnina, whom he contacted
● Finishes Surveying course in secretly, were of similar opinion.
Ateneo (1878). During his term at ● For the first time, Rizal did not
the University of Santo Tomas seek his parent’s decision and
(1877 – 78, Rizal also studied in blessing to go abroad, because
Ateneo, he took the vocational he knew that they, especially his
course leading to the title of mother would disapprove of his
porito agrimensor (expert plan.
surveyor). ● He did not also bring his beloved
● In those days it should be Leonor in his confidence. He had
remembered, that the college for enough common sense to know
boys in Manila offered vocational that Leonor, being a woman, and
courses in agriculture, young and romantic at that, could
commerce, mechanics, and not keep a secret.
surveying. ● Thus, Rizal's parents, Leonor,
● Rizal’s unhappy days at UST. and the Spanish authorities knew
Rizal’s Ateneo boy wonder, found nothing of his decision to go
the atmosphere at the UST a abroad to finish his medical
suffocating to his sensitive spirit. studies in Spain, where the
● He was unhappy with this professors were more tolerant
Dominican Institution of high and understanding than those of
learning because the University of Santo Tomas.
(1) the Dominican processors
were hostile to him, Spain
(2) the Filipino students were ● With his parent’s blessings and
racially discriminated against, unknown to Spanish authorities,
and Rizal left Manila on May 8, 1882.
(3) the method of teaching was He went to Spain where he
obsolete and repressive. completed his university studies,
and improved his knowledge in
The decision to study abroad language and arts.
● After finishing the fourth year of
his medical course, Rizal decided
● At that time, the government in Salvadora, to write farewell
Spain was a constitutional letters to his family and friends,
monarchy. and bid goodbye to his friends.
● Secret departure to Spain. Rizal’s ● The kind Jesuit father, whom he
departure from Spain was kept to say adios, gave him letters of
secret in order to avoid detection recommendation to members of
by the colonial officials and the their Society in Barcelona.
friars. ● He said also a tearful farewell
● Even his own parents did not meeting to his beloved, Leonor.
know that he was leaving. Only This proved to be their last
Uncle Antonio Rivera, Paciano meeting, for they were destined
and sisters, and some close never to meet again.
friends knew. Paciano gave hin
700 pesos. Singapore
● Saturnina gave him a diamond ● During the voyage, Rizal keenly
ring which helped him very much observed the persons and things
during his days of poverty in around him and compared him
Europe. To maintain his studies with those in the Philippines. He
and Sojourn abroad, he needed a was the only Filipino on board.
monthly allowance of 35 pesos, ● His fellow passengers were
and this amount Paciano foreign travelers and some
promised to send regularly Spanish employees and
through Uncle Antonio. merchants returning to Spain.
● Rizal used a passport obtained ● “Almost all of those men,” he
by a cousin named “Jose wrote, speaking of the Spanish
Mercado”. To outwit the Spanish travelers, “spoke ill of the country
authorities, he went to Calamba for which they have gone for
ostensibly to attain the town pecuniary reasons”.
fiesta. ● After five days of sailing, the
● A crytic telegram by Manuel T. Salvadora reached the English
Hidalgo from Manila arrived, colony in Singapore.
announcing that the Spanish ● For the first time, Rizal saw
steamer Salvadora was Singapore and was impressed by
scheduled to sail to Singapore. its progress and beautiful sights.
● Early in the Morning on May 1, He particularly admired “the
882, he left Calamba for confidence which the native
Carromata, reaching Manila after Singapore seemed to have their
10 hours of travel. government” surely a great
● He had time to book travel. He contrast to “the fear of their
had time to book passage on the shown in the Filipinos”.
 ● On the night of June 12, the
On the first trip through the Suez steamer docked at the French
Canal harbor of Marseilles.
● In Singapore, Rizal boarded
Djemnah, a French steamer, Barcelona
which was sailing to Europe. ● At Marseilles, Rizal took the train
● It was Larger and cleaner than for the last lap of his trip to Spain.
the Salvadora. ● After the passport inspection in
● He tried to Speak French to some Port-Bou, Rizal continued his trip
passengers, but to his surprise, by rail, finally reaching his
the bookish French which he destination, Barcelona.
learned in Ateneo could not be ● Filipinos in Barcelona, some of
understood. whom were his schoolmates in
● He had to speak it with a mixture the Ateneo, welcomed Rizal.
of Latin and Spanish words, ● They gave him parties at their
aided with much gesticulation favorite café in Plaza de
and frequent sketching on paper, Cataluna.
to himself understood. ● At Marseilles, Rizal took the train
● A week after leaving Singapore, for the last lap of his trip to Spain.
the steamer reached Point de ● After the passport inspection in
Galle. Port-Bou, Rizal continued his trip
● In the morning of May 18, the by rail and finally reached his
voyage was resumed, and in the destination, Barcelona.
afternoon on the same day, the ● The Filipinos in Barcelona, some
steamer docked at Colombo, of whom were his schoolmates in
Ceylon. the Ateneo, welcomed Rizal.
● From Colombo the steamer They gave him parties at their
crossed the Indian Ocean to Café favorite café in Plaza de
Guardafui in Africa. Cataluna.
● On May 18, he saw for the first
time the coast of Africa. On June Rizal’s moved to Madrid
2, he arrived in the city of Suez, ● While sojourning in Barcelona,
the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Rizal received sad news about
Canal. the cholera that was ravaging
● Naples and Marseilles. From Port Manila and the provinces.
Said, the Djemnah proceeded on According to Paciano’s letter,
its way to Europe. On June 11, dated September 15, 1882, the
Rizal reached Naples. Calamba folks were having an
afternoon novellas to San Roque
and nocturnal procession and
 prayers so that God may stop the prominent Spanish attacked the
dreadful epidemic, which the government and the Church.
Spanish health authorities were ● In due time, his friends who were
impotent to check. Masons persuade him to join
● In one of his letters (dated May Masonry. In 1883 he joined the
26, 1882), Paciano advised his Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid.
younger brother to finish his His Masonic name was
medical course in Madrid. Dimasalang.
Evidently, heeding his advice,
Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of
1882 and established himself in
Madrid, the Capital of Spain. Two reasons why he joined Masonry:
1.)The bad friars in the Philippines, by
Life in Madrid their abuses unworthy of their priestly
● On November 3, 1882, Rizal habit or calling, Rizal drove to
enrolled in the Universidad desperation and Masonry.
Central de Madrid ( Central 2.) He needed the help of Masons to
University of Madrid) Medicine fight the bad friars in the Philippines, for
and Philosophy and Letters. Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to use in
● “They ask me after verses”. In his fight against the evil forces of
1882, shortly after his arrival in tyranny.
Madrid, Rizal joined the Circulo ● Rizal became a master of
Hispano Filipinos Masons in Lodge Solidaridad on
(Hispano-Philippine Circle), a November 15, 1890. Later, on
Society of Spaniards and February 15, 1892, he became a
Filipinos. Master Mason of Le Grand Orient
● Upon the request of the members France in Paris.
of the society, he wrote a poem
entitled Me Piderm versos (They
Ask Me for Verses). In this sad
poem, he poured out the cry of
his agonizing hearts. Rizal
became a Mason.
● In Spain, Rizal came in contact
with the liberal and republican
elements, most of whom were
Masons. Being young and lonely
in a foreign country, he was easily
impressed by the way the