The Life of Dr.

Jose Rizal

June 19: Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda, the 7 th child of the
Rizal children, was born in Calamba, Laguna, a hacienda town owned by the
1861 Dominican Order. Jose’s parents were Francisco Mercado and Teodora
Alonzo Realonda.

1869 Jose was enrolled in a private school in Bañan, Laguna His teacher was
Justiniano Aquino Cruz.

1876 Jose Rizal matriculated at Ateneo de Municipal where he finished his

Bachelor of arts in June with a rating of Excellent.

He then enrolled at University of Sto. Tomas in April, during his first year he
1861 took up Philosophy.

May 3, to continue his medical studies he left for Europe boarding Djemnah.
1882 He settled in Madrid, Spain. He completed his Licensure in Medicine at
Central University of Madrid.

November of 1885 Jose Rizal moved to Paris, France to specialize in

1885 ophthalmology and worked as an assistant in Dr. Louis de Weckert’s clinic
 February 1886, he transferred to another European city in Berlin, Germany
for several reasons. July 1886, Jose Rizal wrote his first letter to Ferdinand
1886
Blumentritt, an Austrian who was interested with Philippine languages that
started a beautiful friendship.

Jose had his grand tour of Europe then finally decided to return to the
1887 Philippines in August 1887. Hel practiced medicine and came to be known as
“Doctor Uliman”.

Jose Rizal left for Hong Kong in 1888. After 6 months in the Philippines. He
observed noisy Chinese new years. He also visited Macao.He stayed in
1888 Japan for more than a month. He had favourable impressions of the place
except the mode of transportation.

He moved to Paris, France for the Universal Exposition. He joined several

organizationsto include Kidat Club, Indios Bravos, and Sociedad R.D.LM.
1889
while in Paris.

He moved to Madrid, Spain. He encountered misfortunes in Spain. One was

his rivalry with Marcelo H. del Pilar for Propaganda leadership. He also
1890
received sad news from Leonor Rivera of breaking their engagement. His
family in Calamba was also ejected due to the Agrarian Problem.

He arrived in the Philippines in 1892. He was arrested and was exiled for four
1891 years in Dapitan.

Upon his arrival in Madrid he learned that he was I charged of Rebellion, a

case was awaiting him in the Philippines. He became a victim of Spanish
1861
injustice finding him guilty of the crime. He was to be executed by firing
squad on December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan.