Chapter 2: CHILDHOOD MEMORIES IN CALAMBA

● After praying at the shrine of Our Lady of Buen Viaje of

● Jose Rizal grew up in Calamba, a place filled with beautiful Antipolo, Pepe and Don Francisco went to Sta. Ana, Manila
memories and a home environment filled with joy and and visited Saturnina, his oldest sister, who was then studying
contentment. His birthplace was an ideal place for artists, in La Concordia College.
poets, and writers, offering healthful waters, scenic
panoramas, and fertile fields. EARLY SCHOOLING IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN

● Calamba's tall, resilient trees symbolized the lofty aspirations ● Rizal's first teacher was his mother and at the age of three,
and ideals of its people, who seemed too long for freedom. Rizal learned the alphabet and the prayers. His mother
This is Calamba, a perfect place to nurture a growing child that Teodora taught Rizal how to read and pray and who had
holds promise that eventually became the cradle of a genius. encouraged him to write poetry.

● When Rizal was 15 years old and was a student at Ateneo de ● Jose, the youngest brother of his mother, looked at Rizal's
Manila, he reminisced about his beloved town and wrote a after the regular lessons. Manuel, he developed the physique
poem Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town). of young Jose. Gregorio teaches Rizal to love education.

● Jose Rizal's childhood memories include playing in the ● Rizal's have a private tutor that taught him Latin and Spanish,
garden, watching birds, praying at night, and enjoying fairy before he was sent to a private school in Biñan. At the age of
tales. At times, when food served during supper did not appeal nine Rizal was sent to Biñan to continue his studies of Latin
to his taste, the maid would threaten him about the aswang under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
and the tikbalang.
● His teacher usually wore a sinamay shirt woven by the skillful
● Rizal's first bitter memory was when little Concha hands of the Batangueñas. He knew by heart the grammar of
(Concepcion) whom he fondly called died when she was only NEBRIJA and GAINZA.
three years old. He cried bitterly and for the first time, he wept
tears of tears of love and intense grief. ● December 7, 1871. Rizal left Biñan. He stayed there for one
and a half years. Rizal also learned painting and drawings
● Jose as a young boy was a very pious and devoted son of the from his tutor Juancho.
Catholic Church. At an early age of three, he used to take part
in the family prayers. He loved to go to church for spiritual BEST PUPIL IN SCHOOL IN BINAN
nourishment and to join religious activities. ● Rizal excelled in all subjects especially in Latin and Spanish
languages. Because of the talent that Rizal has, some of his
● Jose and his father embarked on a pilgrimage to Antipolo to older classmates are secretly jealous of his intellectual
fulfill his mother's vow, but were unable to join Doña Teodora endowments.
due to her childbirth. They rode a casco across Laguna de
Bay, awe-inspiring.
 ● His teacher Justiniano wrote a letter to Rizal's parents that it highlighting their influence on his revolutionary ideas. The
was time to send Rizal to College in Manila. Rizal returned to novel's themes of revenge, justice, and reform reflect Rizal's
Calamba where he was warmly welcomed by his parents, continued struggle against the oppressive colonial system
brothers and sisters.
THE PARABLE OF THE MOTH
RIZAL’S MOTHER and GOMBURZA MARTYRDOM 1. The mother moth gave a warning.
2. The little moth pushed himself to the flame.
Teodora Alonso: The First Teacher 3. He got burned and died.
● Early Influence: Teodora Alonso was Rizal's first teacher and "IT HAD DIED A MARTYR TO ITS ILLUSION"
instilled in him the values of education, discipline, and a strong ● Like the Literary Talents. At the age of eight years, Rizal
sense of justice. She was highly educated and exposed Rizal revealed his God - given talents in literature by writing poems.
to the importance of knowledge and moral integrity from a The poem he wrote in Tagalog was entitled Sa Aking Kabata
young age. (To My Fellow Children).
● Struggles and Resilience: Teodora's unjust imprisonment by
Spanish authorities for allegedly poisoning her sister-in-law SA AKING MGA KABATA (TO MY FELLOW CHILDREN)
had a profound effect on Rizal. This event exposed Rizal to 1. Kapagka ang baya'y sadyang umiibig
the harsh realities of Spanish colonial rule and the injustices Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit,
suffered by Filipinos, which later fueled his desire to fight for Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
freedom. Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.
● Inspiration for Rizal's Works: His mother's influence is 2. Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan sa bayan,
evident in his works, particularly in his portrayal of strong Sa nayo't mga kaharian,
female characters who embody wisdom, sacrifice, and moral At isang tao'y katulad, kabagay
courage. Sa alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
3. Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Gomburza Martyrdom: The Catalyst Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda,
● Who was Gomburza? Gomburza refers to the three Filipino Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa
priests-Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora- Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala.
who were executed by the Spanish colonial government in 4. Ang wikang tagalog tulad din sa latin,
1872 on charges of subversion related to the Cavite mutiny. Sa ingles, kastila at salitang angel,
Their death became a symbol of Spanish oppression. Sa pagka ang Poong maalam tumingin
● Impact on Rizal: Rizal was deeply affected by the execution Ang siyang nag-gawad, nagbigay sa atin.
of the Gomburza priests, even though he was only 11 years 5. Ang salita nati'y huad din sa iba
old at the time. Their martyrdom opened his eyes to the Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
injustices faced by Filipinos under Spanish rule and planted Na kaya nawala'y dinatnan ng sigwa
the seeds of nationalism in him. Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.
● Dedication of El Filibusterismo: Rizal dedicated his second
novel, El Filibusterismo, to the memory of Gomburza,