MODULE 3:

Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education

Overview
The wisdom and sacrifices of Jose P. Rizal for the country earned him the title of the
greatest Malayan who ever lived. It was an honor he rightfully deserves. Up to this day, no
Asian has surpassed Rizal's ingenuity and extreme intelligence. The fact that he is the
national hero of the Philippines is just one side of him. The life and times of Rizal, though
short, is an endeavor that scholars and scientists alike find worthy to study and analyze.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, the students should be able:

 Identify the value of Family and it’s influences.
 Realize the significance of parents and one’s roots.
 Describe the efforts, diligence and determination of Jose Rizal to achieve excellence in
his early education.
 Compare and contrast Rizal’s family and the family of the present generation

Content/Topics:
 Lesson 1: Jose Rizal’s Family
 Lesson 2: The Birth of Rizal
 Lesson 3: Jose Rizal’s Childhood Years
 Lesson 4: Rizal’s Mentor
Introduction
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Lesson 1: Jose Rizal’s Family

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 a 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-17th century. This is where he met his wife, Inez de la Rosa
daughter of Agustin Chinco an immigrant trader from Chuanchow.

To prevent conflict and hostility with the Spanish authorities, he decided to drop the
name Lamco and adapted a Spanish surname. As merchants, they chose 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 Biñan, Laguna. He was 35 years old at the time. His financial state
improved in Biñan 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 Biñan 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.

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, Doña
Teodora managed a grocery store and operated a small flour mill. Rizal's parents were able
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to build a large stone house which was situated near the town church. They owned a
carriage which was a status symbol of the Ilustrados in the Philippines and a private library
consisting of 1,000 volumes. Their children were studying in 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 Doña Teodora loved their children, but they never spoiled them. They were
strict parents and they trained their children to love 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 and Mother

Jose Rizal's Father, Don Francisco Mercado

Rizal (1818-1898) was born in Biñan, 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 “Kalan ang Banga” the
place is known. He became a tenant farmer of the
Dominican-owned hacienda. He was hardworking, and
independent-minded who talked less but worked more
and valiant in 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.”

Doña Teodora Alonso Y Realonda (1826-1911),

Jose Rizal’s Mother was born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz,
Manila. She studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in
Manila. She was a woman of refined culture and
character, with exemplary literary talents, the fortitude of
a Spartan woman and with business ability, she
managed their store.
Rizal lovingly described his mother:
"My mother is a woman of more than ordinary
culture; she knows literature and speaks Spanish better

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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 prowess'".

 Jose Rizal’s Siblings

Don Francisco Mercado Rizal and Doña 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.

SATURNINA PACIANO NARCISA OLYMPIA LUCIA

MARIA CONCEPCION JOSEFA TRINIDAD SOLEDAD

1. Saturnina (1850 - 1913)

The eldest child of the Rizal children. Her nickname was "Neneng", she married to
Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Their children were Alfredo, who married Aurora
Tiaoqui; Adela, who married Jose Ver; Abelardo; and Amelia and Augusto, who both died
young. Hidalgo and Rizal sent frequent correspondence while the latter was in Europe. In
1909, Saturnina published Pascual Poblete's Tagalog translation of the Noli Me
Tangere.

2. Paciano (1851 - 1930)

He was the second child, closest, oldest brother of Jose Rizal. He was Rizal's
confidant, and he was the one who convinced Rizal to study in Europe without their parent's
permission. He studied Latin under maestro Justiniano Cruz before attending the Colegio de
San Jose un Manila. While in the city, Paciano lived and worked with Fr. Jose A. Burgos,
who earned the anger the Spanish friars by campaigning for the secularization movement.
Paciano was in charge of sending money and budget, and constantly advised his brother
Jose Rizal through letters while in Europe. Paciano became an ally of the Katipunan. He
became a general in the revolutionary army during the 1900's. After Rizal's execution in

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December 1896 at Bagumbayan, he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat
general. He returned to his farm in Los Baños, where he lived as a gentleman, farmer, and
died at the age of 79.

3. Narcisa (1852 - 1939)

The third child and whose nickname is "Sisa” and was married to Antonio Lopez,
(nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez). She was a musician and an educator from Pueblo de
Morong (former name of Rizal Province). Their Children were Emilio, Angelica, who married
Benito Abreu; Antonio who married Emeliana Rizal, (the daugther of Paciano Rizal);
Consuelo; Leoncio, who married Natividad Arguelles; and Isabel, Francisco, Arsenio, and
Fidela, all of whom died young. Narcisa could recite from memory almost all poems of Jose
Rizal.

4. Olympia (1855 - 1887)

The fourth child with a nickname “Ypia”, who was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a
telegraph operator from Manila. Their children were Aristeo, who married Leonarda Limjap;
Cesario and another boy, both of whom died young. She died while giving birth in 1887.

5. Lucia (1857 - 1919)

Married Mariano Herbosa (nephew of Father Casañas) of Calamba, Laguna. Their
children were Delfina, first wife of General Salvador Natividad and who helped Marcela
Agoncillo make the first Philippine flag in Hongkong; Concepcion; Patrocinio, who married
Jose Battalones; Teodisio, who married Lucina Vitingco; Eslanislao, and Paz, Victoria, and
Jose. Herbosa died 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 Biñan Laguna. The
couple was blessed with five children. Their children were Encarnacion, who married Rosendo
Banaad; Mauricio, who married Concepcion Arguelles; and Petrona, Paz, and Prudencio, who all died
young.

7. Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal Y Alonso Realonda (1861 - 1898)

His nickname was "Pepe", the greatest Filipino hero, and peerless genius. He became
the National Hero of the Philippines. He was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the tail
end of Spanish period in the Philippines. An Ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a
writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political
reforms for the colony of Spain.
In 1872-1877, studied high school at Ateneo Municipal de Manila and graduated
with honors. In 1878, took up Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas
(UST), while studying surveying at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In 1879, he enrolled in
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t College of Medicine in UST he. In 1884, Rizal started writing his first novel, Noli Me
Tangere. In June 21, 1884, he received the degree in Medicine from the Unibersidad Central
de Madrid and while on June 19, 1885, received the degree in Licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters and completed studies, Doctor of medicine. In 1886, he studied Ophthalmology at the
University of Leipzig. In February 21, 1887, he completed the novel Noli Me Tangere and
finally March 1887, Rizal published the Noli Me Tangere in Berlin, Germany with the financial
support of Dr. Maximo Viola. In 1890, published his edition of Morga’s Sucesos in Paris,
France and published “The Indolence of the Filipinos” and moved to Brussels, Belgium in
September 18, 1891 published his second novel, El Filibusterismo with the assistance from
Valentin Ventura and Jose Ma. Basa.
In 1892, he founded the La Liga Filipina in Tondo, Manila. In July 7, 1892, Andres
Bonifacio founded the KKK to secure independence from Spanish rule in 1892 to 1896. He
lived in Dapitan to serve in various capacity. In December 30, 1896, he had a common law
relationship with Josephine Bracken, an lrish girl from Hongkong. He had a son but died a
few hours after birth. Rizal named him Francisco after his father.
He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after
the Philippine Revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. Though he was not
actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of its goals which
eventually led to the Philippine Independence. Executed by a firing squad at 7:03 in the
morning at the Bagumbayan Field and was buried at the Paco Cemetery after execution. He
is widely considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines.

8. Concepcion (1862 - 1865)

Her nickname was "Concha”. She 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.
She became a member of the 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 the Katipunan and
she was the caretaker of "Mi Ultimo Adios".

11. Soledad (1870 - 1929)

The youngest whose nickname is "Choleng" married to Pantaleon Quintero of
Calamba and was blessed with five children were Trinitario, who married Maria San Mateo;
who married Bernabe Malvar (son of General Miguel Malvar); Luisa, who married Jose
Arguelles; and Serafin and Felix, both of whom died young. She becamce teacher, is said to

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have been "the best educated" among Rizal's sisters. Soledad passed away in 1929, at age
of 59.

Lesson 2: The Birth of Jose 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. Her mother almost died during her delivery because Jose’s head was big. As
he recounted in his student memoirs:
"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 Casañas, 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 was JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL 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. Added surname Rizal
was given by Don Francisco which is closer to the Spanish Hacienda Owner/ Farmer. Alonzo
was the surname of Rizal's mother and Realonda was used by Doña Teodora which is the
surname of her godmother.

Lesson 3: 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 tor prayers.

At the "Azotea” on a moonlit 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
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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. Doña
Teodora could not accompany them because she had given birth to Trinidad. It was the first
trip of Rizal across Laguna de Bay and 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. 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(Gamo-Gamo)

Of all the stories told by Doña 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 Niños). This was a 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 circling
around the flame. Soon, as my mother noticed that I was not 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”.
‘Once upon a time, an old moth had warned her daughter against the flame, so
beautiful, so inviting, yet fatal and deceitful for it destroyed whoever came too close. She
herself said, she was once tempted by it; she had barely escaped with half-burnt wings. The

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frightened young moth promised to obey, but was soon asking herself: “now why should my
mother try to give me such a scare? should I close my eyes to such a pretty sight? These old
people are such cowards!
They think every fly is an elephant, any old dwarf a giant. What harm can it do to me?
Whatever she says, if l come near the flame, as long as I am careful? What I am, a little silly?
What a story I shall have for all other girls if I, being very careful of course, take a closer look.
"No sooner said than done, and the silly little moth went fluttering around the flame. At first
she only felt pleasantly warm; this encouraged her and she flew closer and closer until at
last, dazzled by flame, fell and perished in it.’
As she put me to bed, my mother said: see to it that you do not behave like the young
moth. Don’t be disobedient, or you may get burnt as it did, I do not know whether I answered
or not.’

The story revealed to me the things until then unknown. Moths no longer were, for me,
insignificant insects. Moths talked, they knew how to warn. They advised just like my mother.
The light seemed to me more beautiful. It had grown more dazzling and more attractive. I
knew why the moths circled the flame.
The tragic fate of the young moth left a deep impact on Rizal's mind, and like that
young moth he was fated to die as a martyr for a noble Ideal.

Lesson 4: Jose Rizal’s Mentor

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

As he grew first older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home.
The first was Maestro Celestino and the second, Maestro Lucas Padua. Later, the old man
named Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal’s father, became the boys tutor.

After Monroy’s death, the hero's parents decided to send their gifted son to a private
school in Biñan. 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 into 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.”
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 verses on loose
sheets of paper and on the textbooks of his sisters. At the age of eight years old, Rizal wrote
his first poem in the native language entitled, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata “.
GE-LWR: Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
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 This poem reveals Rizal's earliest nationalist sentiment. In poetic verses, he proudly
proclaimed that a people who truly love their native language will surely strive for liberty like
"the bird which soars to freer space above” and that Tagalog is equal to Latin, English,
Spanish and any other languages.

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 supposea 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 the 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 he visited us.
We saw no 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 this 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 with peace, would one have bribe tyrants.”

Rizal, young as he was, grieved deeply over the unhappy situations of his beloved
fatherland. The Spanish misdeeds awakened in his boyish heart a great determination to
fight tyranny
Jose Rizal loved his sisters that he 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 urge 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 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 study, be good, obedient to their parents, grandparents and aunts.
May my boys continue behaving 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

References:
GE-LWR: Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Module 3 – Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Earky Education Prepared by: Mario G. Cardente
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Life and works of Rizal. A modular approach 2018 Michael Pangilinan, Modesta Franco-
Igloria,edena Pasague.

The Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal. A Course Module 2019 Eugene Raymond P.
Crudo, Herald Ian C. Guiwa. Reidan M. Pawilen.

[Link]
RB1IWXlD0lv_ZxOgCuTMdyLJ1pLhZFlE2A

GE-LWR: Life and Works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

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