Rizal's Higher Education and Life Abroad Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms and historical figures from Jose Rizal's education at Ateneo Municipal, University of Santo Tomas, early literary works, and romantic relationships.

Ateneo Municipal

A school for boys formerly known as Escuela Pia, established in 1817 and managed by the Jesuits starting in 1859.

Fr. Magin Ferrando

The Ateneo registrar who initially refused Jose Rizal's admission because he was late for registration and was sickly and undersized for his age.

Manuel Xerez Burgos

The nephew of Father Burgos whose intercession allowed Jose Rizal to be admitted to Ateneo Municipal.

Roman Empire

The student group in the Jesuit system of education consisting of the internos, or boarders.

Carthaginian Empire

The student group in the Jesuit system of education composed of the externos, or non-boarders.

Rayadillo

The coat material used in the Ateneo uniform that was later adopted as the official uniform of the Filipino troops in the First Philippine Republic.

Fr. Jose Bech

Jose Rizal's first professor at Ateneo, described as a tall, thin man with an ascetic face, sharp nose, and small deep-sunken eyes.

Fr. Francis de Paula Sanchez

Jose Rizal's best professor at Ateneo who inspired him to study harder and write poetry.

Father Lleonart

The Jesuit priest who requested Jose Rizal to carve an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Segunda Katigbak

A fourteen-year-old Batangueña from Lipa who was Jose Rizal's first romance.

Father Pablo Ramon

The Rector of Ateneo whom Jose Rizal consulted for advice regarding his choice of career.

Perito Agrimensor

The title meaning expert surveyor, which Jose Rizal obtained after completing his vocational course at Ateneo.

Leonor Valenzuela

Also known as Orang, a tall girl with a regal bearing to whom Jose Rizal wrote love notes in invisible ink.

Leonor Rivera

Jose Rizal's cousin from Camiling, known as Taimis, who was the daughter of his landlord-uncle Antonio Rivera.

A La Juventud Filipina

A poem submitted by Jose Rizal in 1879 that won first prize in the Liceo Artistico-Literario contest, describing Filipino youth as the fair hope of the Fatherland.

The Council of the Gods

An allegorical drama by Jose Rizal that won first prize in a literary contest honoring Miguel de Cervantes.

Junto al Pasig

A zarzuela written by Jose Rizal and staged by Ateneans on December 8, 1880, for the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception.

Compañerismo

A secret society of Filipino students formed in 1880 whose members were called Companions of Jehu.