Midterm Exam Coverage: Ang Buhay at mga Akda ni Rizal

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set covering the midterm exam topics on the life, context, works, trial, and martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal as well as the history of Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law).

Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law)

A Philippine law mandating the inclusion of courses on the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal—particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo—in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

Claro M. Recto

The senator who authored and submitted Senate Bill No. 438 on April 3, 1956, proposing the compulsory reading of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in colleges and universities.

Jose P. Laurel

Head of the Committee on Education and main sponsor of the Noli-Fili Bill who advocated disseminating Rizal's ideas to foster self-reliance and freedom among Filipinos.

Jacob Z. Gonzales

Representative from the House of Representatives who sponsored House Bill No. 5561, the counterpart to the Senate bill for the Rizal Law.

Unexpurgated Version

A complete, original edition of a literary work that has not had any of its original content removed, altered, or censored.

Industrial Revolution

A major economic transformation from manual labor to machine-driven production, leading to faster manufacturing, trade, transportation, and communication.

Enlightenment

An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, rationality, individualism, nationalism, and human rights.

Government Monopoly

State control over trade during early Spanish colonization that closed the Philippines to free international trade and restricted economic growth.

Manila-Acapulco Trade

Also known as the Galleon Trade, a government-managed commercial trade route operating between the Philippines and Acapulco, Mexico.

Suez Canal

An artificial waterway opening a direct route between Europe and Asia, significantly shortening travel time to the Philippines and boosting foreign trade.

Inquilinos

Individuals who leased large tracts of estate land from religious orders (friars) and subleased smaller plots to native farmers.

Chinese Mestizo

Individuals of mixed Chinese and Filipino heritage who served as commercial middlemen in colonial trade activities.

Indio

A term used by Spanish colonizers to refer to native Filipinos, who occupied the lowest rank in the racial hierarchy and faced systemic discrimination.

Illustrados

Educated, learned, and enlightened Filipinos who emerged from the middle class and advocated for social reform, equality, and civil rights.

Educational Decree of 1863

A reform decree mandating the establishment of a primary school in every municipality and providing free primary education for Filipino children.

Frailocracia

The pervasive rule and dominant influence exerted by religious friar orders over church affairs, political administration, and education in the Philippines.

Polo y Servicios

A system of mandatory forced labor imposed on Filipino men aged 16 to 60 for 40 days a year for public works projects.

Polista

A male resident subjected to forced labor under the Polo y Servicios system.

Falla

The monetary exemption fee paid to be excused from compulsory labor under Polo y Servicios.

Guardia Civil

The colonial police force tasked with maintaining peace and order, frequently reported for committing extortion, abuse, and harassment.

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

The full name of the Philippine national hero, described as a polymath with mastery across multiple disciplines including medicine, literature, art, and science.

Ricial

The Spanish word meaning 'green fields' or 'verdant land', suggested by a family friend to form the surname Rizal.

Francisco Rizal Mercado

Jose Rizal's father, called 'Huwarang Ama' (Model Father), who studied Latin and Philosophy in Manila before becoming a hardworking tenant farmer in Calamba.

Teodora Alonso Realonda

Jose Rizal's mother and first teacher who educated him in reading, writing, mathematics, rhetoric, and religious prayers.

Paciano Rizal

Jose Rizal's older brother and closest confidant who funded his studies, later joined the Philippine Revolution as a General, and managed farming in Los Baños.

Concepcion Rizal

The eighth child of the Rizal family (nicknamed Concha) who died at age 3, causing Jose Rizal his first deep sorrow.

Domingo Lam-co

Jose Rizal's paternal Chinese ancestor from Fukien who arrived in Manila in 1690 and adopted the surname Mercado.

GOMBURZA

The collective name for Fathers Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, three secular priests executed on February 17, 1872, following the Cavite Mutiny.

Ateneo Municipal de Manila

The Jesuit-run secondary school where Jose Rizal studied, earning his Bachiller en Artes degree with highest honors (Sobresaliente) and five gold medals.

Agrimensor

The land surveyor qualification Jose Rizal earned at age 17 after passing examinations at the University of Santo Tomas.

Laong Laan

Jose Rizal's pen name meaning 'Ever Prepared', used when submitting articles like 'El Amor Patrio' to the Diariong Tagalog.

Circulo Hispano-Filipino

An association of Filipino students and reformists established in Madrid to discuss Philippine political issues and voice grievances to the Spanish government.

Maximo Viola

A wealthy friend of Jose Rizal known as the 'Savior of Noli' for advancing ₱300 to finance the printing of 2,000 copies of Noli Me Tangere in 1887.

Propaganda Movement

A campaign (1880s–1895) organized by Filipino illustrados in Spain to advocate for peaceful political reforms, equality under Spanish law, and representation in the Spanish Cortes.

La Solidaridad

The official newspaper organ of the Propaganda Movement used to publish essays and articles calling for Philippine reforms.

Graciano López Jaena

A leading Filipino orator and reformist who served as the first editor of La Solidaridad.

Marcelo H. del Pilar

A prominent reformist leader who succeeded Graciano López Jaena as the chief editor of La Solidaridad.

La Liga Filipina

A peaceful civic organization founded by Jose Rizal on July 3, 1892, in Tondo, Manila, aiming for national unity, mutual aid, protection, and social reform.

Eulogio Despujol

The Spanish Governor-General who issued the decree ordering Jose Rizal's arrest on July 6, 1892, and subsequent exile to Dapitan.

Josephine Bracken

An 18-year-old Irish woman who met Jose Rizal in Dapitan while seeking eye treatment for her stepfather George Taufer, and became Rizal's romantic partner.

Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade

The Spanish military officer appointed to serve as Jose Rizal's defense counsel during his 1896 court-martial trial.

Consummatum est

The Latin phrase meaning 'It is finished', uttered by Jose Rizal right before his execution by firing squad.

Mi Último Adiós

Jose Rizal's final poem written on the eve of his execution, hidden inside an alcohol stove given to his sister Trinidad, expressing his love for his homeland.