RIZAL

INTRODUCTION & RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD

Submitted by:
Ronaliza D. Gayatin
Mia B. Sucayre
Lucille D. Gelvoligaya
April Joy S. Perolino
Submitted to:
Rocelle Jocame
Instructor

March, 16, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE

Introduction………………………………………………………………..1

Rizal’s Designation as National Hero…………………………………..1

Rizal’s Ancestry…………………………………………………………...1-2

Rizal’s Law………………………………………………………………...2

Rizal as an Icon…………………………………………………………...2

Rizal’s Childhood……………………………………………………….…3

Childhood days in Calamba……………………………………………...3-4

Influences of Rizal’s Boyhood……………………………………….…..4

Rizal’s Family……………………………………………………………...5

Story of the moth……………………………………………………….…6

Lesson of The Story………………………………………………………7

Summary…………………………………………………………..………8-9

Definition of terms …………………………………………………….…10

References……………………………………………………………..…10

Introduction
 Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for possessing
intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government.
While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny,

Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the
country. Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and
progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And through his writings,
he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish
friars.

In this chapter, we are about to learn more of Rizal why he was designated to be our
National Hero, Rizal's Law, his childhood moments. We will know where our National hero was
born and his education.It will enable us to know where our hero came from and will make us
understand why he was chosen as our National Hero.

Rizal's Designation as National Hero

1. Because of his book Noli me tangere

2. Because he is a "man honored after death by public worship, because of his exceptional
service to mankind.

3. Honorary president of the la solidaridad.

4. He organized and became chief of the indios bravos

5 The most prominent man of his own people but the greatest man the Malayan race has
produced

6. The pen is as mighty as the sword to redeem a people from their political slavery. "Scholars
are man of peace they bear no arms but their tongue are sharper than the sword their pen carry
further and give a louder report than thunder".

7. He was a man with excellent qualities and merits.

Rizal's ancestry
As typical Filipino, Rizal was a product of the mixture of races. In his veins flowed the
blood of both East and West. Predominantly, he was a Malayan and was a magnificent
specimen of Asian manhood. Rizal's great-great grandfather on his father side was Domingo
Lameo, a Chinese immigrant from the Fukien city of Changchow, who arrived in Manila in about
1690. He became a Christian , married a well-to-do Chinese Christian Girl of Manila named Ines
de la Rosa, and assumed in 1731 the surname Mercado, which was appropriate for him
because he was a merchant. The Spanish term mercado means "market" in English. Domingo
Mercado and Ines de la Rosa had a son, Francisco Mercado, who resided in Biñan, married a
Chinese-Filipino mestiza, Cirila Bernacha, and was elected gobernadorcillo of the town. One
their sons, Juan Mercado, Rizal's grandfather, married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese-Filipino
mestiza. Like his father, he was elected gobernadorcillo of Biñan. Capitan Juan and Capitana
Cirila had thirteen children, the youngest being Francisco Mercado, Rizal's Father.
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 At the age of eight, Francisco Mercado lost his father and grew up to manhood under the
care of his mother. He studied Latin and Philosophy in the College of San Jose in Manila. While
studying in Manila, He met and fell in love with Teodora Alonso Realonda, a Student in the
College of Santa Rosa. They were married on June 28, 1848. After which they settle down in
Calamba, where they engaged in farming and business and reared a big family.

It is said that Doña Teodora's family descended from Lakandula, the last native king
Tondo. Her great-grandfather, Rizal's maternal great-great-grandfather, Eugenio Ursua (of
Japanese ancestry), who married a Filipina named Benigna (surname unknown). Their
daughter, Regina, married Manuel de Quintos, Filipino-Chinese lawyer from Pangasinan. One
of the daughters of Atty. Quintos and Regina was Brigida, who married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso,
a prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Biñan. Their children were Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal's
mother), Gregorio, Manuel, and Jose.

Rizal’s Law
Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in
the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. The full name of the law is 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 Other Purposes. The
measure was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines due to the anti-
clerical themes in Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.

Rizal as an Icon
(JOSE PROTASIO RIZAL MERCADO y ALONSO REALONDA)

Dr. Jose Rizal - The greatest hero of the philippines was a many splendored genius, He
was richly dowered by god with superb intellectual, moral and physical qualities. Truly he ranks
with the word Genuises. He was anthropologist, botanist, businessman, carthographer,
dramatist, economist, educator, engineer, essayist, entromologist, ethnologist, farmer, folklorist,
geographer, grammarian, historian, horticulturist, humorist, lexicographer, linguist, musician,
novelist, painter, physician, poet, philologist, philosopher, polemist, psychologist, satirist,
sculptor, sportsman, sociologist, surveyer, traveler and zoologist. More than all this time, he was
also patriot hero and martyr.

The birth of a hero- Near midnight on Wednesday, june 19, 1861 a frail baby boy was
born to the Rizal Family in Calamba, Laguna. The delivery was exceedingly difficult and the
mother almost died. Her seemingly miraculous survival was attributed to Our Lady of Peace and
Good Voyage.

The Rizal family was one of the richest famillies in Calamba during the times, prior to its
persecution by the friars. Rizal's parent, by their Industry and frugality were able to honesty
bulid up a large fortune.

Rizal’s Childhood

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 Calamba City, Laguna

Rizal Childhood Days in Calamba

Jose Rizal had many beautiful memories of his childhood in his native town Calamba.
It’s scenic beauties and it’s industrious, hospitable, and friendly folks profoundly affected his
mind and character. The happiest period of Rizal’s life was spent in this lakeshore town.

The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was in the family garden when he was 3yrs. old.
Because he was a frail, sickly and undersized, he was given the tenderest care by his parents.
His father built a Nipa cottage for him to play in the daytime.

Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, his mother
gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus.He also remembered the aya (nurse
maid) related to the Rizal children Amy stories about the fairies; tales of buried treasure and
trees blooming with diamonds, and other fabulous stories.Of his sisters, Jose loved most the
little Concha ( Concepcion), who was a year younger than him. He played with her and from her
he learned the sweetness of sisterly love.Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865 when
she was only 3yrs. old. Jose cried bitterly at losing her. The death of Concha brought him his
first sorrow.

Rizal grew up a good catholic. At age of 3, he would take part in the family prayers.
When he was 5yrs. old, he was able to read the Spanish family bible. He loved to go to church,
to pray, to take part in novenas, and to join religious processions.

One of the men he esteemed and respect in Calamba was the scholarly Father Leoncio
Lopez, the town priest. He used to visit him and listen to his stimulating opinions on current
events and sound philosophy of life.

On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, in
order to fulfill his mother’s vow, which was made when Jose was born. After praying at the
shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, Jose and his father went to Manila to visit Saturnina, who was a
boarding student in La Concordia College in Santa Ana.
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 Of the stories told by Dona Teodora, Jose remembered the Story of the Moth. The tragic
fate of the young moth, which “died a martyr to it’s illusions”, left a deep impress on Rizal’s
mind. He justified such noble death, asserting that “to sacrifice one’s life for it”, meaning for an
ideal, is “worthwile”. And, like that young moth, he was fated to die as a martyr for a noble ideal.

At age of 5, he began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in his clay and wax
objects. Jose had the soul of a genuine artist. He also loved to ride the pony that which his
father gave him and take long walks in the meadows and lakeshore with his black dog named
Usman.

Aside from his sketching and sculpturing talent, Rizal possessed a God-given gift for
literature. At age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in the native language entitled Sa Aking Mga
Kababata (To My Fellow Children).After writing his first poem, Rizal who was then 8yrs. old,
wrote his first dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy.

Rizal was also interested in magic. He learned various tricks, such as making a coin
disappear and making a handkerchief vanish in thin air. He read many books on magic and
attended performances of the famous magicians in the world.

INFLUENCES ON THE HERO'S BOYHOOD

INFLUENCES:

1. HEREDITARY INFLUENCE

a. MALAYAN ANCESTORS- love for freedom, innate desire to travel, and indomitable courage.

b. CHINESE ANCESTORS- serious nature, frugality, patience and love for children.

c. SPANISH ANCESTORS- elegance of bearing, sensitivity, gallantry to ladies.

 PACIANO- Love for freedom and justice.

 FROM HI SISTERS- courteous and kind to women
 TIO JOSE ALBERTO- artistic ability
 TIO MANUEL- develops his frail body by means of physical exercises.
 TIO GREGORIO- voracious reading of books
 FATHER LEONCIO LOPEZ- intellectual honesty

2. ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE

According to the psychologists, environment affects the nature of a person.Greater than

heredity and environment in the fate of a man is the aid of divine providence. God 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.

3. AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

 FATHER- sense of self-respect, love for work, habit of independent thinking.

 MOTHER- religious nature, spirit of self sacrifice, passion of arts and literature.
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RIZAL’S FAMILY
The Mercado - Rizal Family

The Rizals’ is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co,
the family's paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from
Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the
name of Ines de la Rosa.Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of
Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado
II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.

 FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)- Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13
offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied
in San Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila.
 TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)- Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of
Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She
was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She
was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.
 SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)- Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married
Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
 PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)- Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied
at San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine
Revolution.
 NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939) - The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal;
a teacher and musician.
 OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)- The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887
from childbirth.
 LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)- The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.
 MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)- The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan,
Laguna.
 JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)- The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by
the Spaniards on December 30,1896.
 CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)-The eight child. Died at the age of three.
 JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)-The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.
 TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)- The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family
to die.
 SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)-The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero

On The Story of the Moth

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 One night, all the family, except my mother and myself, went to bed early. Why, I do not
know, but we two remained sitting alone. The candles had already been put out. They had
been blown out in their globes by means of a curved tube of tin. That tube seemed to me the
finest and most wonderful plaything in the world. The room was dimly lighted by a single light of
coconut oil. In all Filipino homes such a light burns through the night. It goes out just at day-
break to awaken people by its spluttering.

My mother was teaching me to read in a Spanish reader called "The Children's Friend"
(El Amigo de los Ninos). This was quite a rare book and an old copy. It had lost its cover and my
sister had cleverly made a new one. She had fastened a sheet of thick blue paper over the back
and then covered it with a piece of cloth.

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 from me. First
she scolded me for drawing funny pictures on its pages. Then she told me to listen and she
began to read. When her sight was good, she read very well. She could recite well, and she
understood verse-making, too. Many times during Christmas vacations, my mother corrected
my poetical compositions, and she always made valuable criticisms.

I listened to her, full of childish enthusiasm. I marvelled at the nice-sounding phrases

which she read from those same pages. The phrases she read so easily stopped me at every
breath. Perhaps I grew tired of listening to sounds that had no meaning for me. Perhaps I
lacked self-control. Anyway, I paid little attention to the reading. I was watching the cheerful
flame. About it, some little moths were circling in playful flights. By chance, too, I yawned. My
mother soon noticed that I was not interested. She stopped reading. Then she said to me: "I
am going to read you a very pretty story. Now pay attention."

On hearing the word 'story' I at once opened my eyes wide. The word 'story' promised
something new and wonderful. I watched my mother while she turned the leaves of the book, as
if she were looking for something. Then I settled down to listen. I was full of curiosity and
wonder. I had never even dreamed that there were stories in the old book which I read without
understanding. My mother began to read me the fable of the young moth and the old one. She
translated it into Tagalog a little at a time.

My attention increased from the first sentence. I looked toward the light and fixed my
gaze on the moths which were circling around it. The story could not have been better timed.
My mother repeated the warning of the old moth. She dwelt upon it and directed it to me. I
heard her, but it is a curious thing that the light seemed to me each time more beautiful, the
flame more attractive. I really envied the fortune of the insects. They frolicked so joyously in its
enchanting splendor that the ones which had fallen and been drowned in the oil did not cause
me any dread.

My mother kept on reading and I listened breathlessly. The fate of the two insects
interested me greatly. The flame rolled its golden tongue to one side and a moth which this
movement had singed fell into the oil, fluttered for a time and then became quiet. That became
for me a great event. A curious change came over me which I have always noticed in myself
whenever anything has stirred my feelings. The flame and the moth seemed to go further away
and my mother's words sounded strange and uncanny. I did not notice when she ended the
fable. All my attention was fixed on the face of the insect. I watched it with my whole soul... It
had died a martyr to its illusions.

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 As she put me to bed, my mother said: "See 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 things until then unknown. Moths no longer were, for me, insignificant
insects. Moths talked; they know 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.

LESSON
The Story of the Moth" teaches us about all the points which are mentioned above in the
question. Basically, it has numerous moral life lessons including listening to our elders who are
more experienced than us, never tell a lie throughout our life, never give up in our painful times
as it makes us stronger.

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Summary:
JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race, was
born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of
11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and belonged to distinguished
families.

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model
of fathers," came from Biñan, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly
cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in
Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while
learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his
family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age
8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love
of one’s language. In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an
average of "excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in
Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses
leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter
course on March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but
because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December
30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in
his studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their
Dominican tutors. On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the
Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the
degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course
in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent."

He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and
social reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest
apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with highly nationalistic
and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical
novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in Berlin; in
1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his
annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be proud of even long before
the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his
second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was
printed in Ghent. Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and
clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives
and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence, he and
those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding faults
but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from
July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the luggage of
his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong. While a political exile in Dapitan, he
engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he
conducted classes- taught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts.

The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and

painting, as well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he
entered into correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the
help of his pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of Mindanao - both considered
remarkable engineering feats. His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and

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confidence of even those assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were
found irresistible by women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his intelligence
and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations; while
his undaunted courage and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his
enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in
pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these
were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to the date of his
execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled
poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document
expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock
trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold
morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with
varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who
treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

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Definition of terms

o Descended - to go or move from a higher to a lower place or level

o Magnificent - very beautiful or impressive
o Merchant - someone who buys and sells goods especially in large amounts
o Innate - existing from the time a person or animal is born
o Voracious - having or showing a tendency to eat very large amounts of food
o Ultimo Adios- My last Farewell

References

 Zayde Book Chapter 1

 https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/mykressablelips/rizal-chapter-1
 https://www.coursehero.com/file/24265567/RIZALdocx/
 https://www.google.com/search?q=birth+and+hometown+of+rizal+zaide&client=ms-
android-oppo-
rev1&biw=360&bih=676&tbm=isch&prmd=niv&sxsrf=ALeKk022Kdyo02dxzjRDeHqDeu9
ROFsaYQ:1583889231583&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfhYyYn5HoAhWXH3A
KHbqVDE0Q_AUIFCgC
 https://www.google.com/amp/s/spcrizalc2011.wordpress.com/2011/07/03/rizals-
childhood-days/amp/
 https://www.scribd.com/document/240421088/Chapter-1-2-3-of-Jose-Rizal-s-Life-Works-
and-Writings
 https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/jose-rizal-life-work-and-
writings/author/zaide-gregorio-f/

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