1.

TITLE OF THE MODULE- CHAPTER 3: Rizal’s life: Family, Childhood and Early
Education (1861-1877)

2. INTRODUCTION

In this chapter we will discuss about Rizal’s Family, his childhood and early
Education. According to Gregorio Zaide, a Filipino historian, “Jose Rizal had many
beautiful memories of childhood in his native town. He grew up in a happy home, ruled
by good parents. His natal town of Calamba, so named after a big native jar, was a fitting
cradle for a hero. The happiest period of Rizal’s life was spent in this lakeshore town, its
scenic beauties and its industrious, hospitable and friendly folks impressed him during his
childhood years and profoundly affected his mind and character. He had his early
education in Calamba and Biñan. During his time it was characterized by the four R’s-
reading, writing, arithmetic and religion. It was rigid and strict, the manner of teaching was
memory method aided by the teacher’s whip. He continued his education at the Ateneo
de Manila where he earned scholastic triumphs. It was a college under the supervision of
the Spanish Jesuits an excellent college for boys. It may be said that Rizal who was born
a physical weakling, rose to become an intellectual giant and was able to acquire the
necessary instruction preparatory for college work in Manila and abroad in spite of the
outmoded and backward system of instruction of the Spanish regime in the Philippines.
(Zaide, 2008).

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

 Analyze Rizal’s family, childhood and early education;
 Evaluate the People and events and their influence on Rizal’s early life.

4. LEARNING CONTENT
TOPIC 1 – BIRTH OF RIZAL
On the moonlit night of June 19, 1861, in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna,
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso was born. In his autobiography, which he wrote
when he was 17 years old, Rizal recounted that his mother almost died during the delivery
because of his big head.” It would have cost my mother her life had she not vowed to the
virgin of Antipolo to take me her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage.”

Three days after his birth, Rizal was baptized in the Catholic church of Calamba
on June 22, 1861 by Fr. Rufino Collantes, a Filipino priest from Batangas. His godfather
was Pedro Casañas, a native of Calamba and friend of Rizal’ family. He was named
Jose in honor of St. Joseph, the patron saint of laborers and soldiers. He was given a
second first name, Protasio, after a 4th century saint who was a bishop of Milan.
 THE RIZAL’S PARENTS

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818- 1898), an

industrious farmer whom Rizal called “a model of fathers,”
came from Biñan, Laguna. He studied Latin and
Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila. In early
manhood, following his parent’s death, he moved to
Calamba and became a tenant farmer of the Dominican-
owned hacienda. He was a hardy and independent-
minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was
strong in body and valiant in spirit.

Her mother, Teodora Alonzo Quintos y Realonda (1826-

1911), was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. She was educated
at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls
in the city. She was a remarkable woman, possessing
intelligence, refined culture, literary talent, business
ability and fortitude. Rizal loving said to her: “My mother is
a woman of more than ordinary culture; she knows
literature and speaks Spanish better than I. She corrected
my poems and gave me good advice when I was studying
rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read many
books.
THE RIZAL CHILDREN

God blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda
with eleven children-two boys and nine girls. These children were as follows:

1. Saturnina Rizal, 63 (1850-1913) “The Second Mother”

Born as Saturnina Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or simply

Saturnina Hidalgo. She was the eldest sister of Jose Rizal. She was
married to Manuel T. Hidalgo, a native and one of the richest persons
in Tanauan, Batangas. She was known as Neneng. She died in
September 14, 1913.
 2. Paciano Rizal, 79 (1851-1930) “The Big Brother”

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. He devotedly took care of Jose Rizal. As Nick
Joaquin said, “Without Paciano to back him up, it’s doubtful that Rizal
would have gotten as far as he reached.”

3. Narcisa Rizal, 87 (1852-1939) “The Hospital Sister”

The third child, her pet name was Sisa and she married Antonia
Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez) at Morong, Rizal; a teacher
and musician. Like Saturnina, Narcisa helped in financing Rizal’s
studies in Europe, even pawning her jewelry and peddling her clothes
if needed. It is said that Doña Narcissa could recite from memory almost
all the poems of Rizal. Narcisa was perhaps the most hospitable among
the siblings.
4. Olimpia Rizal, 32 (1855-1887) “The Go-Between”

The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator

from Manila. Olimpia died in August 1887 at age 32 due to childbirth.
Jose loved to tease her, sometimes good-humoredly describing her as
his stout sister. Jose’s first love, Segunda Katigbak, was Olimpia’s
schoolmate at the La Concordia College. Rizal confided to Olimpia
about Segunda and the sister willingly served as the mediator between
the two teenage lovers.

5. Lucia Rizal, 62 (185-1919) “A Fellow-Sufferer”

The fifth child. Married Mariano Herbosa. Charged of inciting the

Calamba townsfolk not to pay land rent and causing unrest, the couple
was once ordered to be deported along with some Rizal family
members. Mariano died during the cholera epidemic in May 1889. He
was refused a Catholic burial for not going to confession since his
marriage to Lucia. In Jose’s article in La Solidaridad entitled Una
profanacion (‘A Profanation’), he scornfully attacked the friars for
declining to bury in ‘sacred ground’ a ‘good Christian’ simply because
he was the “brother-in-law of Rizal”.
6. Maria Rizal, 86 (1859-1945) “The Confidant”

The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna. Jose
confided to Maria about his plans of marrying Josephine Bracken when
most of the Rizal family was not open to the idea. He had also brought
up to Maria his plans of establishing a Filipino colony in North British
Borneo. Jose and Maria often wrote to each other particularly when
Jose was studying abroad.

7. Jose Rizal, 35 (1861-1896)

The second son and the seventh child. The greatest Filipino hero and
peerless genius. He was born on June 19, 1861. His nickname was
Pepe. During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken,
Irish girl from Hong Kong. He was executed by the Spaniards on
December 30, 1896.

8. Concepcion Rizal, 3 (1862-1865) “A Dear Loss”

The eighth child. Died at the age of three. She is fondly called ‘Concha’
by her siblings. Jose loved most ‘Concha’ who was a year younger
than him. Jose played games and shared children stories with her. She
was Jose’s first grief as he mournfully wept when she died of sickness
in 1865. In Rizal’s memoir he wrote, “When I was four years old, I lost
my little sister Concha, and then for the first time I shed tears caused
by love and grief.”
9. Josefa Rizal, 80 (1865-1945) “The Katipunera”

The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster. She is nicknamed as

“Panggoy”. After Jose was executed, Josefa joined the Katipunan. She
was one of the original 29 women admitted to the Katipunan along with
Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Andres Bonifacio. They secured the secret
papers and documents of the society. The danced and sang during
meetings to confuse civil guards that the meetings were just harmless
social gatherings.
10. Trinidad Rizal, 83 (1868-1951) “The Steward”

The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to
die. “Trining” along with their mother, joined Jose in Dapitan and
resided with him in his square house during his exile. A day before
Jose’s execution, Trining and their mother visited him at Fort
Santiago prison cell. As they were leaving, Jose handed over to
Trining an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from Pardo de Taveras,
whispering to her in a language which the guards could not
understand, “There is something in it.” That ‘something’ was Rizal’s
elegy now known as “Mi Ultimo Adios.” Like Josefa and two nieces,
Trinidad joined the Katipunan after Rizal’s death.
11. Soledad Rizal, 59 (1870-1929) “The Teacher”

The youngest child; married Pantaleon Quintero. She was a

teacher and was probably the best educated among Jose’s sisters,
which made Jose very proud of her. However, Jose reprimanded her
for getting married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba without their
parent’s consent. Jose was very much against women who allow
themselves to be courted outside their homes. He said to Choleng,
“If you have a sweetheart, behave towards him nobly and with
dignity, instead of resorting to secret meetings and conversations
which do nothing but lower woman’s worth in the eyes of man. You
should value more, esteem more your honor and you will be more
esteemed and valued.”
 FAMILY TREE OF JOSE RIZAL
(Ancestry of José Rizal)

Note:

This does not include all of the ancestor's siblings, only the notable ones.
 THE RIZAL HOME

The house of the Rizal family,where he was born, was one of the distinguished
stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times. It was a two-storey
building,rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed with red
tiles. Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden
of tropical fruit trees- atis, balimbing,chico, macopa, papaya, santol,etc.

It was a happy home where parental affection and children’s laughter reigned. By
day it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the garden.
By night, it echoed with the soft notes of family prayers. Such a wholesome home,
naturally, reared a wholesome family, and such a family was the Rizal family.

TOPIC 2: CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

Calamba was named after a big native jar. A hacienda town which belonged to
the Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands around it. It is a beautiful town
covered with irrigated rice fields and sugar lands.
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
 The first memory of Rizal, was his happy days in the family garden when he was
three years old. Because he was a frail, sickly and undersized child, he was given the
most loving care by his parents. Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer,
by nightfall, his mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus. Rizal
also remembered the night- time walk in the town, especially during moonlit nights. The
Rizal children were bound together by ties of love and companionship. They were well-
bred, for their parents taught them to love and help one another. Of his sisters, Rizal loved
most Concepcion (the little Concha). He was a year older than her, he played with her
and from her he learned sisterly love. Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865.
The death of little Concha brought Rizal his first sorrow.
At the age of three, Rizal began to take part in the family prayers. When Rizal was
five years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible. One of the
memorable anecdotes between the young Jose was when his mother was reading to him
a Spanish reader entitled El Amigo de los Niños (The Children’s Friend). She noticed him
not paying attention to her as she was reading the contents of the book in Spanish. Jose
instead was attracted to a pair of moths circling the flame of the oil lamp. The smaller
moth got so attracted to the flame that if flew too close, its wings got burned and fell into
the oil and died. The Story of the Moth- made the profoundest impression on Rizal“died
a martyr to its illusions”

At the age of five, Rizal began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in
clay and wax objects which attracted his fancy. Sa Aking Mga Kabata (To My Fellow
Children) - Rizal’s first poem in native language at the age of eight. This poem reveals
Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment. At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first dramatic
work which was a Tagalog comedy.
INFLUENCES ON RIZAL’S BOYHOOD

In the lives of all men there are influences which cause some to be great and others
not. In the case of Rizal, he had all the favorable influences, few other children in his time
enjoyed. Aside from his immediate family, Rizal’s three uncles added to Rizal’s
inspiration. Tio Jose Alberto- studied for eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India
and had traveled in Europe. He inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability. Tio Manuel- a
husky and athletic man, encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means of physical
exercises. Tio Gregorio- a book lover, intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good book.
Father Leoncio Lopez- the old and learned parish priest of Calamba, fostered Rizal’s love
for scholarship and intellectual honesty.

TOPIC 3: EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN

 At the age of three, Rizal was first taught by his mother, who was remarkable
woman of good character and fine culture. He learned from her the alphabet and the
prayers. At this stage he demonstrated superior intelligence which induced his parents
to hire tutors for him. Maestro Celestino- Rizal’s first private tutor and Maestro Lucas
Padua- Rizal’s second tutor. Later, Leon Monroy- a former classmate of Rizal’s father
became Rizal’s tutor that instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he died five
months later.
On June, 1869- Rizal left Calamba for Binan accompanied by Paciano. Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz was Rizal’s teacher in a private school in Binan. Jose was 9 years
old at that time. The school was also the house of his teacher. Rizal described him as a
tall, thin, long-necked man with a body slightly bent forward. As a teacher he was quick
to discipline his students for any infractions with a short thin stick, especially if the wrong
answer is given. This was the old system of education at that time. The infliction of pain
was made to ensure that the student remembers the lesson. Jose became an outstanding
student surpassing his classmates in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects. He was also
very popular, that some of his classmates spread rumors to discredit him. Many times he
was punished for his alleged wrongdoings. The day was unusual when Rizal was not laid
out on a bench and given five or six blows because of fighting. Rizal’s daily life in Biñan
were as follows: Heard the four o’ clock mass then at ten o’ clock went home at once and
went at school at two and came out at five. At the end of his schooling, Maestro Justiniano
recommended that Jose should be sent to Manila. In December 17, 1870, Rizal left Binan
after one year and a half of schooling. He bade farewell to this school and his teacher.
He also collected pebbles from the river as souvenirs, knowing that he will never return
to Biñan. After the Christmas of that year Don Francisco decided to send Jose to Manila
to continue his studies.

MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA

Night of January 20, 1872- about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite
arsenal under the leadership of Lamadrid, Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny
because of the abolition of their usual privileges, including exemption from tribute and
polo (forced labor) by the reactionary Governor Rafael de Izquierdo. The Spanish
authorities, in order to liquidate Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora leaders of the secular movement to Filipinize the Philippine parishes, and their
supporters magnified the failed mutiny “into” a “revolt” for Philippine independence.
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora were executed at sunrise of
February 17,1872, by order of Governor General Izquierdo. The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-
Za in 1872 truly inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and redeem his
oppressed people. Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za.
 INJUSTICE TO RIZAL’S MOTHER

Before June of 1872, tragedy struck the Rizal family. Dona Teodora was suddenly
arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother, Jose Alberto, tried to poison the
latter’s deceitful wife. She was forced to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz (capital of
Laguna province), a distance of 50 kilometers. Dona Teodora was incarcerated at the
provincial prison, where she languished for two years and a half. Recounting this
incidence of his mother’s imprisonment, Rizal said in his student memoirs: “Our mother
was unjustly snatched away from us and by whom? By some men who had been our
friends and whom we treated as honored guests.”

TOPIC 4: AT THE ATENEO MUNICIPAL (1872-1877)

The Ateneo Municipal is a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. It
was formerly Escuela Pia (Charity School), a school for poor boys in Manila which was
established by the city government in 1817. On June 10, 1872, Rizal accompanied by
Paciano went to Manila. Father Magin Ferrando who was the college registrar, refused to
admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons: (1) he was late for registration (2) he was sickly
and undersized for his age. Through the intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, Rizal was
reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. Jose was the first of his family to adopt the surname
“Rizal”. He registered under this name at Ateneo because their family name “Mercado”
had come under the suspicion of the Spanish authorities. At the time Jose studied in the
Ateneo, this college was located in Intramuros 25 minutes’ walk from the college.

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

The system of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more advanced
than that of other colleges in that period. It trained the character of the student by rigid
discipline and religious instruction. It promoted physical culture, humanities, and scientific
studies. Aside from academic courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, it offered
vocational courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanics and surveying. The students
heard Mass in the morning before the beginning of the daily class. Classes in every
subject were opened and closed with prayers.

Students were divided into two groups: Roman Empire- consisting of internos
(boarders) and the Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders). The
empires had ranks: Emperor- the best student in each “empire, Tribune- the second best,
Decurion- the third best, Centurion-the fourth best and the Stand-bearer- the fifth best.
Between empires they fought for intellectual supremacy. Within in the “empire” the
students fought for these positions by challenging the ones holding the ranks to answer
questions based on the day’s lesson.

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

Father Jose Bech was Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo. To improve his Spanish,
Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the noon recesses when other
students were playing or gossiping. He paid three pesos for those extra Spanish lessons.
Being a newcomer and knowing little Spanish, Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class.
He was an externo, hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians, occupying the end of
the line. After the first week, the frail Calamba boy progressed rapidly. At the end of the
month, he became “emperor”. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was
awarded a prize, a religious picture. He was proud of it because it was the first prize he
ever won at the Ateneo.
In the second half of his year in the Ateneo, he did not try enough to retain his
academic supremacy which he held during the first half of the term because he resented
some remarks of his professor. He placed second at the end of the year, although all his
grades were still marked “Excellent”. At the end of the school year in March, 1873, Rizal
returned to Calamba for summer vacation. He did not enjoy his vacation because his
mother was in prison. Without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz and visited his
mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades at the Ateneo. She gladly embraced
her favorite son. When the summer vacation ended, Rizal returned to Manila for his
second year term in Ateneo.

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

Nothing unusual happened to Rizal during his second term in the Ateneo, except
that he repented having neglected his studies the previous year. To regain his lost class
leadership, he studied harder. Once more he became “emperor”. At the end of the school
year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal. With such
scholastic honors, he triumphantly returned to Calamba in March, 1874 for the summer
vacation.

PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE

Rizal lost no time in going to Santa Cruz in order to visit his mother in the provincial
jail. He cheered up Doña Teodora’s lonely hearth with news of his scholastic triumphs in
Ateneo and with funny tales about his professors and fellow students. His mother was
very happy to know that her favorite child was making such splendid progress in college.
In the course of their conversation, Doña Teodora told her son of her dream the previous
night. Rizal, interpreting the dream told her that she would be released from prison in
three months’ time. Barely three months passed, and suddenly Doña Teodora was set
free. By that time, Rizal was already in Manila attending his classes at the Ateneo.

TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING

It was during the summer vacation in 1874 in Calamba when Rizal began to take
interest in reading romantic novels. As a normal teenager, he became interested in love
stories and romantic tales. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- the first
favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on him. As a voracious reader, he
read not only fiction, but also non-fiction. The Universal History by Ce sar Cantu- Rizal
persuaded his father to buy him this costly set of historical work that was a great aid in
his studies and enabled him to win more prizes in Ateneo. Later Rizal read the book of
Dr. Feodor Jagor- He wrote Travels in the Philippines. Rizal was impressed in this book
because of (1) Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization, (2) his
prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come
to succeed her as colonizer.

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

When Rizal returned for his third year, his mother was released from prison. He
was able to concentrate more on his studies. However, at the end of the year, he
remained dissatisfied even as his grades remained excellent. He won only a single medal
in Latin as his Spanish classmate beat him in speaking Spanish. At the end of the school
year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-1876)

After a refreshing and happy summer vacation, Rizal went back to Manila for his
fourth year course. On June 16, 1875, he became an interno in the Ateneo. One of his
professors this time was Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar,
one of Rizal’s professors who inspired him to study harder and to write poetry. Rizal was
highest in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term. He was the most
brilliant Atenean, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”. On March 23, 1877-
Commencement Day, Rizal, who was 16 years old, received the degree of Bachelor of
Arts, with highest honors.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Rizal, unsurpassed in academic triumphs, was not a mere bookworm. He was

active in extra-curricular activities. An “emperor” inside the classroom, he was a campus
leader outside. He was an active member later secretary, of a religious society, the Marian
Congregation. He was accepted as member of this solidarity not only because of his
academic brilliance but also because of his devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception, the college patroness. Rizal was also a member of the Academy of Spanish
Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences. These “academies” were exclusive
societies in the Ateneo, to which only Ateneans who were gifted in literature and sciences
could qualify for membership.
POEMS

It was Dona Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and it
was also she who first encouraged him to write poems. However it was Father Sanchez
who inspired Rizal to make full use of his God-given gift in poetry.

Some examples of his writings when he was at Ateneo:

1874- Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), the first poem Rizal probably
wrote during his days in Ateneo which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday; Rizal
wrote it before he was 14 years old.
1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood
memories and war. Below are some of his outstanding poems:
1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of
Calamba, the hero’s natal town, Rizal was 15 yrs old when he wrote this poem;

2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance

Between Religion and Good Education)- Rizal showed the importance of religion in
education;

3.San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr)- a drama based on the prose
story of St. Eustace which he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of
1876 and finished it on June 2, 1876.

PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURAL WORKS

 Aside from writing poetry, he devoted his spare time to fine arts. He studied
painting under the famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo
de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor. Both art masters honored him with their affection, for he
was a talented pupil.

FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL

Rizal was linked to numerous women in

his day, but the first love he ever had, according
to his diary Memorias de un Estudiante de
Manila, was Segunda Katigbak. He details his
feelings for her and documents their
correspondence, which is something many of us
can relate with. These were the three words
Rizal used to describe the 14-year-old Katigbak
in his diary. “She is not the most beautiful woman
I had ever seen,” writes Rizal somewhat harshly,
“but I blushed every time she looked at me,” he
concedes. “I have not met anyone more alluring
and beguiling.”Coincidentally, Katigbak attended
the same school as Rizal’s sisters, Colegio de la Concordia. Many times, Rizal visited
Katigbak at La Concordia under the pretense of visiting his sisters there.
Despite the many times they rendezvoused, Rizal and Katigbak never became
official, writes Ocampo. Rizal suspected the latter was already engaged, which was a
mistake. He decided to stay away from Katigbak and made excuses for himself. In his
youth, Rizal was also naïve about the qualities of real love, equating it with physical
attractiveness and wealth. “I shut my heart out to love,” writes Rizal in his diary, “I am not
rich and I am not handsome; I am neither sophisticated nor attractive,” he continues. “Until
I see more proof that she loves me, I will not commit to her or tell her that I love her.” Their
relationship ended when Katigbak was instructed by her father to return to their family’s
province in Laguna.

The last time they ever met was at a fiesta in Laguna, when Rizal, astride his horse,
rode up to Katigbak. She'd expected him to get down, talk, and have a good time.
However, Rizal became immobile and speechless.“I said nothing. All I did was take off
my hat,” he confesses in his diary. “The same thing happens to me at the most trying
times of my life! I become too slick, speechless, and overcome with emotions.” Rizal’s
first romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve.

5. TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY NO. 1 - QUIZ: WHAT’S IN THE NAME?

Directions: Give the source and meaning of each name and surname of Dr. Jose Protacio
Rizal Mercado y Realonda.

NAME SOURCE MEANING

1. Jose

2. Protacio

3. Rizal

4. Mercado

5. Alonzo

6. Realonda

ACTIVITY 2

Create a timeline of Rizal's Childhood and Early Education

6. RECOMMENDED LEARNING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES FOR
SUPPLEMENTARY READING

a) http//www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/filipiniana-library/filipiniana/70-features/120-jose-
protacio-alonso-realonda-mercado-rizal
b) https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/pursuits/jose-rizal-segunda-katigbak-
relationship-a1957-20190214-lfrm
c) http//www.nhi.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_comcontent&task=view&id=13&/te
mid=3

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

This course can be access thru:

A. Online (synchronous) -
Actual online classes thru live chats, meetings, consultation via the
following: Video call in messenger, Zoom meetings, Google Meet and other online
platforms.

B. Remote (asynchronous) - Independent study and work on: self-guided

modules, supplemental videos, readings, lesson plans, research, and check-ins
and exchanges using any of the following: Google Classroom, Messenger, text
and call.

8. Assessment Task

Read Rizal's Memoirs of a students in Manila. Write a short biographical essay

that compares your early childhood with that of Rizal’s.

9. REFERENCES:

Joanquin, N.(1996). Rizal in Saga: A Life for Student Fans. Manila: Philippine National
Contennial Commission, 1995

National Historical Commission, “Paciano Rizal.” National Historical Commission.

http//www.nhi.gov.ph/downloads/mp0131.pdf

Philippine Revolution. “Jose Rizal.” Philippine Revolution. http//Philippine-

revolution.110mb.com/rizal_detailed_html
Rafael, V. On Rizal’s El Filibusterismo UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Reyno, C G.(2011) “Rizal’s Paternal Lineage.” Pambansang Komisyong
Pangkasaysayan.

http//www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/filipiniana-library/filipiniana/70-features/120-jose-
protacio-alonso-realonda-mercado-rizal
https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/pursuits/jose-rizal-segunda-katigbak-
relationship-a1957-20190214-lfrm
http//www.nhi.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_comcontent&task=view&id=13&/temid=3