Life and Works of Rizal — Comprehensive Study Notes (RA 1425 Rizal Law)
Historical Background: Rizal Bill and RA 1425 (Rizal Law)
Sen. Claro M. Recto filed Senate Bill 438: An Act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading matter in all public and private colleges and universities and for other purposes.
Senate Bill 438 led to the Rizal Law (RIZAL LAW).
Senator Laurel proposed an amendment.
The bill was finally passed on May 17, 1956. Signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Magsaysay on June 12, 1956.
Rizal Law: Key Provisions (RA 1425)
Section 1: Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private.
Section 2: It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography.
Childhood and Names of Jose Rizal
Birth information in transcript shows: "June 19, 2861" (likely a typographical error; commonly known birth year is 1861).
Place: Calamba, Laguna.
Full name origins (as presented):
Jose: chosen by his mother who was a devotee of St. Joseph.
Protacio: derived from the Christian calendar (from Gervacio P).
Rizal: from the word "Ricial" in Spanish meaning "a field where a wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again".
Mercado: adopted by Domingo Lamco; Spanish term meaning "market".
Alonzo: old surname of his mother.
Realonda: used by Dona Teodora from the surname of her godmother.
Baptism (ninong): Fr. Rufino Collantes; Fr. Pedro Casanas.
Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood, & Early Education
Rizal came from a 13-member family: members; 9 sisters and 1 brother.
Father: Francisco Mercado; Mother: Teodora Alonso Realonda; Place: Calamba, Laguna.
Family environment and early influences:
Mother Teodora as a capable influence in education and values.
Uncles and relatives shaping different talents:
Manuel – PHYSIQUE
Gregorio – BOOKS
Jose – ARTISTIC ABILITY
Fr. Leoncio Lopez – SCHOLARSHIP AND INTELLECTUAL HONESTY
Aya (nanny or caregiver) mentioned as part of his upbringing.
Early education and tutors:
Parents paid tutors for him: Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, Maestro Leon Monroy.
Move to Binan, Laguna: Jose goes to Binan, Laguna. (Notes show additional entries such as "Coca-Cola", "Maestro Justiniano", "XXOX", and "Aquino Cruz" which appear as decorative or incidental markings on the slides; they are not central to Rizal’s biography.)
Rizal’s Education at Ateneo de Municipal and Early Scholastic Life
Rizal’s education at Ateneo de Municipal (formerly Escuela Pia).
Admission history:
Father Magin Fernando initially refused to admit Rizal.
Rizal was accepted because of Manuel Xerez Burgos.
He used the family name “Rizal.”
He was associated with the Jesuits.
Notable figures connected to his Ateneo years:
Fr. Jose Bech
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez (favorite teacher).
Rizal’s poems from this period include:
Mi Primera Inspiración
In Memory of My Town
Intimate Alliance between Religion and Good Education
Academic achievements:
He attained a B.A. with highest honors.
Referred to as the Pride of the Jesuits; Bachelor of Arts (A.B. / B.A.).
Personal life aspects during this period:
Segunda Katigbak (a romantic interest noted in the slides).
Mother's warning: "Don’t send him to Manila again. He already knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Spaniards will cut off his head." (Quoted sentiment cited in the notes.)
Rizal’s university entry in Manila: He entered the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in April 1877, pursuing Philosophy and Letters.
Notable slogans and insignia:
A la Juventud Filipina; Considered the crowning glory of Jose Rizal; Kaweco AL Sport G (on slides).
Journey to Madrid and Europe
Rizal decided to continue his studies in Europe.
He entered Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid).
Madrid to Berlin: He saw obstacles in the reform movement posed by the Friars; two aims formed:
Generate Filipinos through educated youth.
Expose the misdeeds and hypocrisy of the friars.
Early international travel (first abroad trip, 1882): Spain, France, Germany, among others.
Graduation in Madrid: Licentiate in Medicine (June 1884).
Publications and essays from Madrid period:
EL AMOR PATRIO, first essay published under the pen name "Laong Laan" (in Diariong Tagalog).
Brindis speech in Madrid: At a banquet honoring Filipino painters Juan Luna and Félix Hidalgo; Rizal praised the artists and expressed support for Enlightenment ideals.
Ophthalmology training:
Studied in Paris with Dr. Louis de Wecker and in Heidelberg with Dr. Otto Becker.
Friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt: Began correspondence and formed a strong friendship.
Noli Me Tangere:
Finished in Berlin (1887).
Published with the help of Maximo Viola.
Exposed abuses of friars and colonial officials.
First Homecoming: 1887.
Further travels (second travel abroad): 1888 onward—visited Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong.
El Filibusterismo:
Published in 1891 (Ghent, Belgium).
Published with the help of Valentin Ventura.
Dedicated to Gomburza (the three martyred priests: Gomburza).
The Katipunan and reformist ideas:
Rizal’s writings inspired the Katipunan; he opposed violent revolution and favored reform.
Conversations with Pio Valenzuela (1896) are noted in the slides.
La Liga Filipina and Domestic Reform
Establishment of La Liga Filipina: 1892.
Rizal helped found La Liga Filipina, which advocated peaceful reform and unity.
Rizal’s arrest occurred days after the founding.
Rizal’s works and the Fort Santiago museum connection (MUSEO NI JOSE RIZAL, FORT SANTIAGO, NHCP) are mentioned as part of the heritage and commemorations.
Exile in Dapitan and Civic Works
Exile in Dapitan (1892–1896): productive years.
Established a school and a clinic.
Built a water system and undertook community development projects.
Engaged in scientific research and civic works.
Relationship with Josephine Bracken during this period.
Josephine Bracken (brief note): central figure in Rizal’s later personal life.
The Katipunan, Reforms, and Revolution
The Katipunan (bonded into the revolutionary movement) was inspired by Rizal’s writings, though Rizal himself opposed violent revolution and favored peaceful reform.
Notable exchange: Conversations with Pio Valenzuela (1896).
The Cuban War and Rizal’s Volunteerism:
When the war in Cuba broke out, Rizal volunteered to become a field doctor.
He was initially given permission to join, but while in transit he was arrested, leading to his execution.
Trials, Martyrdom, and Legacy
Trial and Conviction: Charged with sedition, rebellion, and organizing an illicit organization; sentenced to death.
Last days in Fort Santiago: Rizal’s final days before execution; married Josephine Bracken (allegedly).
Mi Último Adiós: Wrote this farewell poem during his final days.
Execution: Bagumbayan (now Luneta) on December 30, 1896.
The Grito de Guerra image and other commemorations are referenced in the slides as part of Rizal’s enduring legacy.
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo: Works and Impact
Noli Me Tangere (Finished in Berlin, 1887): Exposed abuses of friars and colonial officials; published with the help of Maximo Viola.
El Filibusterismo (published 1891, Ghent, Belgium): Dedicated to GOMBURZA; continued critique of colonial officials and friar power.
Both works were central to Rizal’s reformist agenda and to the broader Filipino nationalist movement.
Miscellaneous: Illustrative Points from Slides
The slides include occasional captions and images (e.g., references to page numbers, signage like "Coca-Cola" and other decorative elements) that reflect the texture of the lecture materials but do not bear on the core biographical and historical content.
The Rizal saga interweaves personal development, education, international study, literary output, political reform, exile, and martyrdom as a coherent arc.
Notes: Where dates or names appear slightly garbled in the transcript (e.g., birth year shown as 2861 or other minor typos), use the historically accepted equivalents as context helps. The essential chronology and major milestones remain:
Birth in 1861 in Calamba;
Education at Ateneo and UST;
European study (Madrid, Paris, Heidelberg);
Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891);
La Liga Filipina (1892) and exile to Dapitan (1892–1896);
Return and involvement with reform movements; Cuban War affiliation; execution in 1896.