Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key facts about Jose Rizal’s family background, childhood, ancestry, early education and formative influences.

Jose Rizal was born in the lakeside town of __, Laguna on June 19, 1861.

Calamba

Rizal's full baptismal name was Jose __ Rizal.

Protacio

Rizal was baptized by Father __.

Rufino Collantes

Rizal's godfather at his baptism was Father __.

Pedro Casanas

The nickname "Pepe" for Jose comes from the abbreviation "P.P." standing for __ in Latin.

pater putativus

When Rizal was seven, he went on a pilgrimage with his father to __ to fulfill his mother's vow.

Antipolo

The priest who inspired the character of Father Florentino in El Filibusterismo was Father __.

Leoncio Lopez

Rizal’s father, Don __, was a farmer-landholder and former Cabeza de Barangay of Calamba.

Francisco Mercado

Rizal regarded his father as a "__ of fathers."

model

Rizal’s mother, Doña __, was praised by him as more versed in literature than himself.

Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos

Doña Teodora declined a government life pension saying, "My family has never been patriotic for __."

money

Rizal was the __ child among eleven siblings.

seventh

Rizal’s only brother was __.

Paciano

The sister who discovered Rizal’s unmarked grave and placed the marble marker "R.P.J." was __.

Narcisa

The sister who kept the alcohol lamp hiding "Mi Último Adiós" was __.

Trinidad

Rizal’s first love, Segunda Katigbak, was schoolmate of his sister __ at La Concordia.

Olimpia

The youngest of the Rizal siblings was __.

Soledad

The three-year-old sister whose death caused Rizal’s first sorrow was __.

Concepcion

Rizal’s paternal great-great grandfather was the Chinese immigrant __ from Sionggue, Changchow.

Domingo Lamco

To avoid anti-Chinese discrimination, Domingo Lamco adopted the surname "__" in 1731.

Mercado

Rizal used the surname "Rizal" on Paciano’s advice to avoid being linked to Father __.

Burgos

Rizal’s matrilineal ancestry traced back to the native ruler __ of Tondo.

Rajah Lakandula

Rizal learned the alphabet and prayers at age three from his first teacher, his __.

mother

The childhood story that left an indelible impact on Rizal involved the "__."

Story of the Moth

Rizal wrote his hometown poem "__ (Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo)" while still a boy.

In Memory of My Town

Rizal’s nursemaid frightened him with tales of the __, nuno sa punso and tikbalang.

aswang

As a child, Rizal often rode around Calamba on his little __.

pony

Rizal's first private tutor was Maestro __.

Celestino

At nine years old, Rizal was sent to study in __ under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.

Biñan

The bully whom Rizal defeated in a wrestling match in Biñan school was __, the teacher’s son.

Pedro

Rizal learned wrestling skills from his athletic uncle __.

Manuel

Doña Teodora was falsely accused of __ her sister-in-law, leading to her two-year imprisonment.

attempting to poison

The priests collectively known as __ were executed by garrote on February 17, 1872.

GOMBURZA

Rizal dedicated his novel El Filibusterismo to the memory of __.

GOMBURZA

The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was triggered by Governor General Izquierdo’s removal of worker exemptions from __ and forced labor.

tribute

The execution of GOMBURZA awakened Filipinos to liberal ideas such as __, meritocracy, and human dignity.

equality

Rizal’s childhood home lay between Laguna de Bay and the foot of Mount __.

Makiling

Rizal’s family prayed the Angelus and Rosary together daily at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and __.

6 p.m.

As Principalia, the Mercado family owned a __ that allowed comfortable travel.

stagecoach

The Spanish decree changing Filipino surnames was issued by Governor-General __.

Clavería

At his baptism, Father Collantes remarked on the unusual size of Rizal’s __, predicting greatness.

head

Rizal’s favorite black dog for nocturnal walks was named __.

Usman