Jose Rizal: Early Life, Family, and Education (Ch. 1-5)

Vocabulary flashcards highlighting key people, places, events, works, and concepts from Jose Rizal’s birth through his early education and University of Santo Tomas years.

Jose Rizal

National hero of the Philippines, born June 19 1861 in Calamba, Laguna; full name Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda.

June 22 1862

Date when Jose Rizal was baptized in Calamba’s Catholic church by Father Rufino Collantes.

Father Rufino Collantes

Priest who baptized Jose Rizal.

Father Pedro Casañas

Rizal’s godfather at baptism.

Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery

Governor-General of the Philippines when Rizal was born (Feb 2 1861 – Jul 7 1862).

Meaning of 'Rizal'

From Spanish, a field where cut green wheat sprouts again.

'Protacio'

Second given name of Rizal, derived from Gervacio P. in a Christian calendar.

'Mercado'

Spanish surname meaning “market,” adopted by Domingo Lamco in 1731.

'Realonda'

Surname Doña Teodora used from her godmother.

Francisco Mercado Rizal

Rizal’s father; born May 11 1818 in Biñan; studied at College of San José; married Teodora Alonzo in 1848.

Teodora Alonzo Realonda

Rizal’s mother; born Nov 8 1826 in Manila; educated at College of Santa Rosa; died Aug 16 1911.

Saturnina Rizal

Eldest Rizal child (1850-1913); nickname Neneng.

Paciano Rizal

Rizal’s only brother (1851-1930); confidant and model for Pilosopo Tasio.

Concepcion ‘Concha’

Rizal’s sister who died at age 3; Rizal’s first sorrow.

Soledad ‘Choleng’

Youngest Rizal sibling (1870-1929).

Domingo Lamco

Rizal’s Chinese great-great-grandfather who adopted the surname Mercado.

Lakan Dula

Ancestor on Rizal’s maternal line; last native king of Tondo.

Calamba House

Two-storey adobe and hardwood home with red-tile roof, large library, garden, and poultry yard.

Principalia

Town aristocracy class to which the Rizal family belonged.

Calamba

Rizal’s natal town; name derived from a large native water jar (kalamba).

Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo

Poem ‘In Memory of My Town’ written by 15-year-old Rizal in 1876.

The Story of the Moth

Fable read to Rizal by his mother that impressed him with the idea of dying for a noble light.

Sa Aking Mga Kabata

Rizal’s first poem (age 8), urging love for the native language.

First Drama

Tagalog comedy written by 8-year-old Rizal and staged in Calamba.

Usman

Rizal’s pet dog who accompanied his lakeshore reveries at Laguna de Bay.

Malayan Ancestry

Source of Rizal’s love of freedom, travel desire, and courage.

Chinese Ancestry

Source of Rizal’s frugality, patience, and love for children.

Tio Jose Alberto

Uncle who fostered Rizal’s artistic ability after studying in Calcutta.

Tio Manuel

Uncle who trained Rizal in physical exercises, wrestling, and horseback riding.

Tio Gregorio

Uncle who encouraged Rizal’s voracious reading habit.

Father Leoncio Lopez

Calamba town priest who influenced Rizal’s scholarship and integrity.

Antipolo Pilgrimage (1868)

Rizal’s first lake crossing and visit to the Virgin of Antipolo shrine with his father.

GOMBURZA

Fathers Gomez, Burgos, Zamora; martyred Feb 17 1872; inspired Rizal’s reformist ideals.

Cavite Mutiny (1872)

Uprising that led to GOMBURZA execution.

Doña Teodora’s Imprisonment

Rizal’s mother jailed 1872-1875 on false poisoning charge; walked 50 km to Santa Cruz prison.

Ateneo Municipal

Jesuit college in Manila where Rizal studied 1872-1877 and earned Bachelor of Arts with highest honors.

Roman Empire (Carthaginian)

Student divisions in Ateneo representing internos (Romans) and externos (Carthaginians).

Emperor (Ateneo Rank)

Highest academic rank a student could attain within his ‘empire.’

Fr. Jose Bech

Rizal’s first professor at Ateneo.

Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez

Jesuit mentor who inspired Rizal’s poetry and diligence.

Rayadillo

Striped cotton coat of Ateneo uniform later adopted by Filipino revolutionary troops.

Mi Primera Inspiracion

Poem ‘My First Inspiration’ dedicated to Rizal’s mother (age 14).

San Eustacio, Martir

Religious drama in verse written by Rizal in 1876 at Fr. Sanchez’s request.

Segunda Katigbak

Rizal’s first love, a 14-year-old from Lipa, Batangas.

University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Dominican university where Rizal studied Philosophy & Letters (1877-78) and Medicine (1878-82).

Perito Agrimensor

Title of expert surveyor earned by Rizal in Ateneo (issued Nov 25 1881).

Guardia Civil Incident (1878)

Rizal was slashed by a Spanish officer for not saluting, fueling his anti-colonial sentiments.

Leonor Valenzuela

‘Orang’; UST-era sweetheart courted with invisible-ink letters.

Leonor Rivera

Rizal’s cousin and long-time secret fiancée, codenamed ‘Taimis.’

Miss L.

Unidentified Calamba lady briefly courted by Rizal after Segunda.

A La Juventud Filipina

Poem ‘To the Filipino Youth’ that won first prize at the 1879 Liceo Artistico-Literario contest.

El Consejo de los Dioses

Allegorical drama ‘The Council of the Gods’ by 19-year-old Rizal; won 1st prize in 1880 literary contest.

Junto al Pasig

Spanish zarzuela ‘Beside the Pasig’ staged Dec 8 1880 by Ateneo students, containing nationalist satire.

A Filipinas

1880 sonnet urging Filipino artists to glorify their fatherland.

Companerismo

Secret society of Filipino students at UST founded by Rizal in 1880; members called ‘Companions of Jehu.’

Champion of Filipino Students

Title earned by Rizal for defending compatriots in street brawls against Spanish students.

Turumba Festival

Religious dance-procession in Pakil witnessed by Rizal in May 1881 and later mentioned in Noli Me Tangere.

Pagsanjan Falls

Scenic waterfall visited by Rizal; later compared to Niagara in his U.S. travel diary.

Unhappy Days at UST

Period marked by racial discrimination, obsolete teaching, and hostility from Dominican professors.

Decision to Study Abroad

Rizal’s 1882 choice to leave for Spain due to UST bigotry and to advance his education secretly.

Doña Pepay

Widow landlady of Rizal’s boarding house at No. 8 Magallanes St. inside Intramuros.

Titay

Owner of Caraballo St. boarding house who owed the Rizals ₱300 and lodged young Jose.

El Filibusterismo Dedication

Rizal dedicated his second novel (1891) to the martyred priests GOMBURZA.

‘Indio, Chongco!’

Racist slur Spanish students hurled at Filipinos; answered with ‘Kastila, Bangus!’

4 R’s

Reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion—the basic subjects taught by Doña Teodora to young Rizal.

Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz

Teacher of Rizal’s private school in Biñan (1869-1870).

First School Brawl

Fight where 9-year-old Rizal beat class bully Pedro using wrestling skills learned from Tio Manuel.

Old Juancho

Painter in Biñan who taught Rizal and Jose Guevarra free painting lessons.

Artistic Banner Incident

Rizal painted a fiesta banner in oil after the original was spoiled, impressing townsfolk.

Clay and Wax Images

Childhood sculptures for which Rizal predicted people would someday make his own monuments.

Aya

Old nursemaid who told Rizal folk tales, sparking his love for legends.

Laguna de Bay

Largest Philippine lake east of Calamba; site of Rizal’s childhood musings.

Mount Makiling

Legendary mountain south of Calamba visible from Rizal’s hometown.

Angelus & Rosary

Daily Catholic prayers practiced by Rizal’s family, reinforcing his early religiosity.

'Manong Jose'

Playful nickname given to devout young Rizal by Hermanos & Hermanas Terceras.

Casco

Flat-bottomed barge used by Rizal on trips across Laguna de Bay.

Carromata

Two-wheeled carriage Rizal rode to Biñan with Paciano in June 1869.

Steamer Talim

Vessel that brought Rizal home from Biñan on Dec 17 1870.

Arturo Camps

French family friend who looked after Rizal on his return voyage to Calamba.

Antonio Vivencio del Rosario

Gobernadorcillo of Calamba who helped arrest Doña Teodora.

Don Francisco de Mercado & Don Manuel Marzan

Prominent Manila lawyers who defended Doña Teodora.

Feodor Jagor

German traveler whose book ‘Travels in the Philippines’ influenced Rizal with prophecy of U.S. rule.

Alexander Dumas

Author of ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ Rizal’s first favorite novel.

Cesar Cantu

Historian whose work ‘Universal History’ broadened Rizal’s knowledge.

Magic-Lantern Shows

Visual entertainments using a lamp and screen that young Rizal presented to townsfolk.

Marionette Skills

Puppet-handling ability displayed by Rizal; later referenced in El Filibusterismo.

Lakeshore Vow

Childhood promise Rizal made to avenge Spanish injustices to his people through study and writing.

Aid of Divine Providence

Belief that Rizal’s genius and mission were destined by God for his nation’s glory.

Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy

Philosophical subjects Rizal studied during his first year at UST.

‘Chongco’

Derogatory term combining ‘Chino’ and ‘Indio,’ used by Spanish students against Filipinos.

'Bangus'

Reply slur Filipinos used against Spaniards, meaning ‘milkfish’.