Life of Jose Rizal: Education and Early Works (1877-1882)

Vocabulary flashcards covering Rizal’s education, relationships, and literary works from 1877–1882.

GOMBURZA

The trio of Filipino priests—Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora—who were executed in 1872, an event Rizal's generation recalls as a symbol of Spanish oppression.

Ateneo de Manila

Jesuit-run educational institution where Rizal studied and later held leadership roles in student and scholarly circles.

Philosophy and Letters (Pilosopiya at Sulat)

Rizal’s first course at Ateneo, chosen to please his father and to pursue Arts and letters.

Padre Pablo Ramon

Rector of Ateneo who advised Rizal on which career to pursue.

Medicine (Medisina)

Rizal’s course chosen in the following year, spurred by Padre Ramon’s advice and a desire to cure his mother’s blindness.

Doña Teodora

Rizal’s mother, whose blindness Rizal wished to help by studying medicine.

Perito Agrimensor

Title meaning ‘surveying expert,’ awarded after Rizal completed surveying studies; conferred on November 25, 1881.

Bokasyonal (Agrikultura, Komersiyo, Mekaniko at Pagsasarbey)

Vocational tracks Rizal pursued in the Ateneo’s surveying program: Agriculture, Commerce, Mechanics, and Surveying.

Akademya ng Literaturang Espanyol

Spanish Literature Academy at Ateneo; Rizal served in leadership roles such as President.

Kongregasyon ni Maria

A religious congregation Rizal belonged to while at Ateneo.

Binibining L (Binibining L, Calamba)

A Filipina from Calamba who inspired Rizal’s early romance; the affair ended and Rizal’s father did not approve of her family.

Leonor Valenzuela (Orang)

Rizal’s love interest from Pagsanjan; tall and graceful; Rizal sent her letters written with invisible ink.

Leonor Rivera

Rizal’s other significant love, from Camiling, Tarlac; Rizal stayed at Uncle Antonio Rivera’s Casa Tomasina; she was nicknamed “Taimis” to conceal their relationship.

Taimis

Leonor Rivera’s nickname used to conceal their relationship.

Guardia Civil (Guardias Civiles)

Spanish colonial police who assaulted Rizal with a sword, an incident Rizal reported to authorities.

Turumba

Religious procession Rizal witnessed at Pakil during his visit.

A La Juventud Filipina

Poem cycle (1879) by Rizal; part of the Liceo Artistico-Literario; won first prize with a silver quill pen.

El Consejo de los Dioses

Allegorical play (1880) by the Liceo Artistico-Literario about the Council of the Gods; Rizal won the first prize—a gold ring with Cervantes’s image.

Liceo Artistico-Literario

Artistic-Literary Lyceum at Ateneo that hosted literary contests and productions.

Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma

1879 poem performed by Ateneo students in honor of their patron.

Junto al Pasig

1880 sarswela (musical play) staged by Ateneo students to commemorate the Immaculate Conception, patron of the Ateneo.

A Filipinas

1880 sonata composed for an artists’ association to inspire Filipino artists to honor the Philippines.

AI M.R.P. Pablo Ramon

1881 poem expressing Rizal’s affection for Padre Pablo Ramon.

Pakil and Pagsanjan trip

Rizal’s May 1881 pilgrimage with siblings to Pakil (Virgin of Dolores) and then to Pagsanjan to see the falls; Rizal met Vicenta Ybardolaza there.

Vicenta Ybardolaza

Rizal’s romantic interest in Pakil; she was admired for her beauty and harp playing.

Compañerismo

Secret student society founded by Rizal at UST in 1880; Galicano Apacible served as secretary; Rizal was wounded in a clash at Escolta, later treated by Leonor Rivera.

Escolta clash and Rizal’s head wound

A confrontation between Spaniards and Filipinos in Manila where Rizal was injured; he received care from Leonor Rivera afterward.

Casa Tomasina

Rizal’s residence in the home of his uncle Antonio Rivera in Calamba; a hub during his stay.

Desisyong makapag-aral sa ibang bansa

Rizal’s decision to study in Spain after four years in medicine; supporters included Paciano, Saturnina, Lucia, Uncle Antonio Rivera, and the Valenzuela family; opponents were Rizal’s parents, Leonor Rivera, and Spanish authorities.