Rizal's Childhood in Calamba

Childhood Years in Calamba

  • Calamba described as Rizal's happiest period, a prelude to his tragic manhood.
  • Hacienda town owned by the Dominican Order.

Earliest Childhood Memories

  • Happy days in the family garden.
  • Father built a nipa cottage for Rizal to play.
  • An aya (nurse maid) cared for him.
  • Listened to twilight songs of birds and daily Angelus prayer.
  • Enjoyed moonlit nights and imaginary tales told by the aya.

The Hero’s First Sorrow

  • Death of Little Concha (Concepcion), his sister.
  • Rizal was very fond of her and cried bitterly at losing her.
  • She died of sickness in 1865, when Rizal was 4 years old.

Devoted Son of the Church

  • Started taking part in the family prayers at age 3.
  • Read the Spanish family Bible haltingly at age 5.
  • Called "Manong Jose" due to his devoutness.
  • Town priest Fr. Leoncio Lopez influenced him.

Pilgrimage to Antipolo

  • June 6, 1868, with his father to fulfill his mother’s vow.
  • First trip across Laguna de Bay and pilgrimage to Antipolo.
  • Visited Saturnina at La Concordia College in Manila.

Artistic Talents

  • Started making sketches with his pencil at age 5.
  • Painted a religious banner in oil colors for the town.
  • Enjoyed nature, riding a pony, and walks with his dog Usman.
  • Prophetic anecdote about creating images and monuments.

First Poem by Rizal

  • Wrote his first poem "Sa Aking Mga Kababata" at age 8.
  • Poem revealed early nationalist sentiment and love for native language.

First Drama by Rizal

  • Wrote his first dramatic work, a Tagalog comedy, at age 8.
  • Staged in a Calamba festival and later in Paete.

Rizal as Boy Magician

  • Interest in magic started in early manhood.
  • Performed tricks and magic-lantern exhibitions.
  • Manipulated marionettes.
  • Read many books on magic.

Lakeshore Reveries

  • Meditated on the sad conditions of his oppressed people at Laguna de Bay.
  • Determined to fight injustices and avenge victims.

Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood

  • A. Hereditary Influence
    • Malayan Ancestors: love for freedom, desire to travel, indomitable courage
    • Chinese Ancestors: serious nature, frugality, patience, love for children
    • Spanish Ancestors: elegance, sensitivity to insult, gallantry to ladies
    • Father: sense of self-respect, love for work, independent thinking
    • Mother: religious nature, self-sacrifice, passion for arts and literature
  • B. Environmental Influence
    • Scenic beauties of Calamba and Rizal family garden: literary talents
    • Religious atmosphere at home: religious nature
    • Paciano: love of freedom and justice
    • Rizal’s sisters: courteous and kind to women
    • Fairy tales by aya: interest in folklore and legends
    • Tio Jose Alberto: artistic ability
    • Tio Manuel: physical exercises
    • Tio Gregorio: love for books
    • Father Leoncio Lopez: love for scholarship and intellectual honesty
    • Death of Concha and imprisonment of Rizal’s mother: strengthened character
    • Spanish abuses: awakened Rizal’s spirit of patriotism