Notes on the Life and Works of José Rizal

Early Life of José Rizal

  • Full Name: José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
  • Date of Birth: June 19, 1861
  • Birthplace: Calamba, Laguna
  • Parents: Francisco Mercado Rizal & Teodora Alonso y Quintos
  • Significance: National Hero of the Philippines

Baptism and Early Records

  • Baptism:

    • Date: June 22, 1861
    • Performed by Rev. Rufino Collantes with Rev. Pedro Casañas as sponsor.

  • Fire Incident: On September 28, 1862, the parochial church of Calamba was burnt, including canonical books like Rizal's baptismal records.

Family Background

Parents

  • Father: Francisco Mercado
    • Origin: Binan, Laguna
  • Mother: Teodora Alonso y Quintos
    • Origin: Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila

Siblings

  1. Saturnina R. (1850-1913)
  2. Paciano R. (1851-1930)
  3. Narcisa R. (1852-1939)
  4. Olympia R. (1855-1887)
  5. Lucia R. (1857-1919)
  6. Maria R. (1859-1945)
  7. Jose Rizal (1861-1896)
  8. Concepcion R. (1862-1865)
  9. Josefa R. (1865-1945)
  10. Trinidad R. (1868-1951)
  11. Soledad R. (1870-1929)

Education

  • Early Learning: At age three, Rizal began learning the alphabet and prayers from his mother.

  • Tutor:

    • Leon Monroy: Taught him to read and write.
    • Uncle Manuel Alberto: Encouraged physical development and love for nature.
    • Uncle Gregorio: Instilled values of hard work and independent thinking.

  • Artistic Training:

    • Juancho Carrera: An old painter who taught Rizal painting by 1870.

Higher Education

  • Ateneo Municipal de Manila: Enrolled in 1872, graduated with honors in land surveying and assessment by March 14, 1877.
  • University of Santo Tomas: Pursued degrees;
    • Faculty of Arts and Letters: Philosophy
    • Faculty of Medical Sciences: Ophthalmology (1878-1882)

Ancestry and Name Change

  • Family Name:
    • Family changed surname to “Rizal” (meaning "green of young growth") in 1849 by decree of Governor-General Narciso Claveria to differentiate from others.

Artistic Talents

  • Early Manifestations:
    • Began drawing and painting at age five.
    • Sculpted figurines and molded statuettes with clay/wax.
    • Encouraged by mother Teodora who provided art supplies.
  • Writing Skills:
    • At age eight, wrote the poem "Sa Aking Mga Kabata".
    • Wrote a Tagalog comedy for a local festival.

Summary of Contributions

  • Professions: Doctor, writer, poet, painter, sculptor, and scientist.
  • Notable Works:
    • "Noli Me Tangere" (1887)
    • "El Filibusterismo" (1891)
  • Skills: Sociology, architecture, medicine, poetry, and drawing.