SS5 (The Life and Works of Rizal)

Lesson 3: Rizal’s Family, Childhood, and Early Education

Instructor: Mr. Andie Padernilla

Name: Richmeer Vincent Lepalim Score:

Degree Program & Year: BSCE1-EC5 Date: January 10, 2022

I. Identify the following:

1. Acted as Rizal’s second father Paciano Mercado

2. First pen-name of Rizal P. Jacinto / Dimasalang
3. Rizal’s loving and prudent mother Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos
4. Rizal’s model of fathers Francisco Rizal Mercado
5. Tagalog poem written by Rizal at age of 8 Sa Aking mga Kabata

II. Describe the following:

1. Family of Rizal

The Rizals are often recognized as the foremost family of their era. Domingo Lam-co,
the family's fatherly descendent, was a full-blooded Chinese who moved to the
Philippines in the late seventeenth century from Amoy, China, and married a Chinese
crossbreed named Ines de la Rosa. Jose Rizal was born into a family of 13 people,
including his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, as well as
nine sisters and one sibling. Saturnina Rizal was the eldest daughter of Francisco
Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda. She married Manuel Hidalgo, a Tanauan,
Batangas native. Paciano Rizal, Jose Rizal's main sibling, was the youngster that came
after. Paciano studied at Manila's San Jose College and worked as a rancher before
becoming a commander in the Philippine Revolution. Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria,
Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad Rizal were among Jose Rizal's sisters.
Soledad was the youngest child and married Pantaleon Quintero.

Source: https://philippinefolklifemuseum.org/collection/jose-rizal/attachment/rizal-
family-tree/

2. Rizal’s childhood

Jose Rizal's upbringing may be characterized by his passion to study, in any event,
attending a church near his home to observe and notice people. Jose Rizal lacked both
honor and commitment. In any case, he possessed a strong will that was guided and
directed by his mother, his first instructor. He made practically all of his development
without the assistance of books. His mother was the one who provided the framework
for him to learn so much in such a short period of time. His brilliance reflected the
 personality of young Jose Rizal. Indeed, even as a toddler, Rizal understood the rights of
others and submitted small violations to his authorities rather than becoming upset at
him. Even at such a young age, he became a valued ally for adults because he accepted
their opinions and was never an impediment to their activities.

Source: http://www.joserizal.ph/ed01.html

3. Rizal’s life in Biñan

Rizal received his primary and secondary studies in Calamba and Bian. Tutoring was
common for a child from an ilustrado family during his time, as represented by the four
R's-reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. The instructions were strict and severe. In
general, Bian appears frequently in novels based on the life of José Rizal, the country's
most popular saint. In June 1869, when José Rizal was a young man, he traveled to
Binan with his sister Paciano. They proceeded to his auntie's house, which was close to
the town where they were to be detained. Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, who
encouraged the young Rizal to continue his education in Manila after 18 months of
study, gave him his first conventional training here. In his honor, a commemorative
plaque was placed on the residence where José Rizal stayed. In recognition of Bian's ties
to Rizal, a monument now stands in the middle of Bian's town plaza.

Source: http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2011/12/education.html

IV. Answer the following:

1. How did Rizal describe his day of birth?

He was born as a small child, and for as long as he can remember, he has been known
for his genuine height. "Jose was a tiny child," his sisters recalled. In Calamba, he grew
up in a well-organized house near the church on the outskirts of the court.

2. How important was Rizal’s mother to him?

Rizal was his mother's child throughout his brief life, and he was similar to the old man
in many aspects, since he always tried to maintain confidence in the illustrations she
taught him. His mother was his first teacher, and it was through her that he learned to
read and, as a result, came to regard reading as a method of learning and devoting
one's energy.

3. What made Rizal shed his tears for the first time?

His sister Conception, the eighth child in the Rizal family, died when he was four years
old. Rizal had cried real tears at this point.
4. What were the sacrifices made by Rizal’s father?

Despite having a tiny fortune, his father was able to provide a good education for his
children.

5. Why did the Mercado family adopt Rizal as an additional family name?

Jose, Francisco and Teodora's seventh child, took on the name Rizal to allow him to
venture forth freely and to distinguish himself from his sibling Paciano, who had created
a reputation for himself by supporting the cause of progressive Filipino clergy such as Fr.
Mr. Jose Burgos, thank you for your time. He changed his name to "Jose Rizal" while
attending the Jesuit Ateneo Municipal School in Manila because his sister, Paciano
Mercado, was demanded by border specialists for being a companion of the deceased
priest, Fr. In order to address her mother's eye issue, he needed to train as an
optometrist.