Advent of A National Hero

Chapter 1

The Birth of a Hero

Jose Rizal Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda June 19, 1861 Calamba, Laguna His mother almost died during the delivery because of his big head

Baptized in the Catholic church On June 22, aged 3 days old

Father Rufino Collantes (parish priest) a Batangueo

Father Pedro Casanas (ninong) Rizal godfather close friend of Rizals family

Jose his name was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph)

Father Collates was impressed by the babys big head and told:

Take good care of this child, for someday he will become a great man.

Age 11

Age 16

Rizal at 18 years old while a student of medicine at the U.S.T Rizal in Madrid at the age of 25

The Rizals Family

The Parents

Francisco Mercado Rizal

Francisco, the father, was a serious looking man of sturdy build. He was born in Bian, Laguna on May 11, 1818.

He studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.

A tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda. Died in Manila on Jan. 5, 1898 at the age of 80.

Doa Teodora

A vigorious and persevering woman with a benevolent heart and a likable personality. Born in Manila on Nov. 8, 1826. Educated at College of Santa Rose, well known college for girls. Died in Manila on Aug. 16, 1911 at the age of 85.

The Rizal Children

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)

Eldest of the Rizal children. Became the wife of Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas. Neneng

2. Paciano (1851-1930)

The second child in the family and Rizal's only brother. Died an old bachelor aged 79. He had two children (a boy and a girl) by his mistress (Severina Decena).

3. Narcisa (1852-1939)

Her pet name was Sisa Was married to Antonio Lopez of Morong, Rizal.

4. Olimpia (1855-1887)

Ypia was her pet name. Married to Silvestre Ubaldo. She died of childbirth in 1887.

5. Lucia (1857-1919)

Was the wife of Mariano Herbosa, who was a nephew of father Casanas. Herbosa died of cholera and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother-inlaw of Dr. Rizal.

6. Maria (1859-1945)

Biang was her nickname Became the wife of Daniel Faustino Cruz of Bian, Laguna.

7. Jose (1861-1896)

Thenational hero of the Philippines. His nickname was Pepe In Dapitan, he lived with Josephine Bracken , Irish girl form Hong Kong. Had a son with her but died few hours after birth. Named the son as Francisco.

8. Concepcion (18621865)

Her pet name was Concha. She died of sickness at the age of 3. Her death was Rizals first sorrow in life.

9. Josefa (1865-1945)

Her pet name was Panggoy She died an old maid at the age of 80.

10. Trinidad (1868-1951)

Trining was her pet name. She died also as an old maid in 1951 aged 83.

11. Soledad (1870-1929)

The youngest Rizal child Pet name Choleng Became the wife of Pantaleon Quintero.

Sibling relationship among the Rizal children was affectionately cordial. As a little boy, Rizal play games with his sisters.

When he grew to manhood, he called them Doa or Seora (if married) and Seorita (if single).
Paciano was a second father to him (10 years senior) He immortalized him in his first novel as the wise Pilosopo Tasio

Rizals Ancestry

Rizal was a product of mixture of races both east and west.

Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish

His great-great grandfather (father side) was a Chinese Immigrant named Domingo Lamco

He was from Fukien city who arrived in Manila about 1690

Doa Teodoras family descended from Lakan Dula (King of Tondo)

His great-great maternal grandfather was of Japanese ancestry

The Surname Rizal

The real surname of Rizal family was Mercado which was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (paternal great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal) who was a full blooded Chinese.

The second surname RIZAL was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna, who was a family friend.

The Rizal Home

Two storey building, rectangular in shape Built in adobe stones and hard wood and roofed with red tiles Describe by Rafael Palma (biographer) Behind the house was a poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden of tropical fruits It was a happy home.

A Good Middle-Class Family

The Rizal family belonged to the Principalia

A town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines

One of the distinguished families in Calamba

From the farms, which were rented from Dominican Order, they harvested rice, corn and sugarcane.
The owned a carriage, which was a status symbol of the illustrados in Spanish Philippines A private library (the largest in Calamba which consisted of more then 1,000 volumes.

Home Life of Rizals

The Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life. Both parents never spoiled their children. They were strict parents and they trained their children to love God, behave well, to be obedient, and to respect people especially old folks. The believed in the maxim: Spare the rod and spoil the child They heard Mass in the town church particularly Sundays They prayed together daily at home then after the prayer all the children kiss the hands of their parents.