Rizal’s Cultural Roots

Rizal’s Family

  • The Rizal family belonged to the "principalia," earning from farming lands rented from the Dominican Order.

  • Doña Teodora, Jose Rizal's mother:

    • Managed a general goods store.

    • Operated a small flour mill and a home-made ham press.

    • Family owned a carriage and had the largest private library in Calamba with over 1,000 volumes.

Jose Rizal: Early Life

  • Birth and Early Baptism:

    • Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.

    • Full name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.

    • Baptized on June 22, 1861, by Father Rufino Collantes, with Father Pedro Casañas as godfather. Father Collantes noted: "Take good care of this child for someday he will become a great man."

  • Father: Don Francisco Mercado Rizal

    • Born May 11, 1818, in Biñan, Laguna.

    • Studied at the College of San Jose in Manila.

    • Moved to Calamba as a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.

    • Died January 5, 1898, in Manila at age 80; described by Jose as "a model of fathers."

  • Mother: Doña Teodora Alonso y Realonda

    • Born November 8, 1826, in Meisik, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

    • Studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Manila.

    • Died on August 19, 1911, age 85; known for her culture, literary talent, and business acumen.

    • Jose regarded her as more cultured than himself, and she corrected his poems while providing wise advice.

Rizal’s Siblings

  • Saturnina (1850-1913): Oldest sister, nicknamed "Neneng"; married Manuel T. Hidalgo.

  • Paciano (1851-1930): Older brother, confidant, joined the Philippine Revolution, became a general.

  • Narcisa (1852-1939): Nicknamed "Sisa"; married Antonio Lopez, a teacher.

  • Olimpia (1855-1887): Nicknamed "Ypia"; married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator.

  • Lucia (1857-1919): Married Mariano Herbosa; her husband denied burial due to ties with Rizal.

  • Maria (1859-1945): Nicknamed "Biang"; married Danniel Faustino Cruz.

  • José (1861-1896): National hero, nicknamed "Pepe"; tragically lost a son with Josephine Bracken.

  • Concepcion (1862-1865): Nicknamed "Concha"; died at age 3, Rizal's first sorrow.

  • Josefa (1865-1945): Nicknamed "Panggoy"; lived an unmarried life, died at 80.

  • Trinidad (1868-1951): Nicknamed "Trining"; lived unmarried, died at 83.

  • Soledad (1870-1929): Nicknamed "Choleng"; married Pantaleon Quintero.

Rizal's Childhood

  • First Memories:

    • Happy days in the family garden at age 3; received tender care due to his frail health.

    • His father built a nipa cottage for him to play.

  • Religious Upbringing:

    • Family practiced daily Angelus prayers; mother gathered children in prayer at night.

    • Nostalgic moonlight nights spent after the Rosary at the azotea (terrace or balcony); aya (nurse maid) told stories about the fairies: tales of buried treasure and trees blooming with diamonds, and other fabulous stories..

  • Fun Childhood Adventures:

    • Walks in town during the moonlit nights stirred melancholic thoughts in him.

    • Mourned the death of his sister Concha in 1865, strengthening his faith.

    • Rizal started participating in prayers and religious activities from a young age, influenced by his devout catholic mother

  • Influential Experiences:

    • First trip across Laguna de Bay and his first pilgrimage to Antipolo with his father at age 6; impactful story of a moth symbolizing sacrifice shaping his belief in sacrificing for noble causes.

    • Showcased artistic talents with drawings and plays during festivals; engaged in local entertainment.

Early Education

  • Foundations of Learning:

    • Began education at home, influenced primarily by his mother who taught him the alphabet and prayers.

    • Jose’s uncle Manuel Alberto and Gregorio also played a role in his education.

    • Manuel focused on physical development and nature,

    • Gregorio instilled in him the value of education.

  • Private Tutors:

    • Taught by Maestro Celestino and Maestro Lucas Padua in Spanish and Latin, firming up his academic foundation.

  • Education in Binan:

    • Enrolled in school, faced a strict educational environment, but excelled in studies.

    • Artistic skills flourished, learning painting from Juancho; maintained a disciplined lifestyle.

    • Notable academic performance, faced challenges, which sparked his desire for reform against injustices observed.

    • He consistently outperformed his classmates, earning a reputation for his intellectual superiority despite facing jealousy and challenges from peers

    • The injustices he observed during his early years, particularly the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za, motivated him to advocate for social reform and fight against oppression.

Influences on Rizal

  • Hereditary Influence:

    • Malayan ancestors instilled love for freedom and courage.

    • Chinese heritage fostered traits like frugality and patience.

    • Spanish ancestry contributed to elegance, sensitivity, and gallantry.

    • Father: a   profound sense  of self- respect, love for work, and habit of independent thinking

    • Mother: religious nature, spirit of self- sacrifice, and passion for arts and literature

  • Environmental Influence:

    • Scenic beauty of Calamba inspired Rizal's artistic talents.

    • Religious atmosphere strengthened his devout beliefs.

    • Family members instilled values and interests in freedom, folklore, and scholarship.

  • Tragic Events:

    • Death of sister Concha and mother's imprisonment molded his resiliency and nationalistic spirit.

    • Notable abuses and injustices he witnessed fueled his patriotic determination to uplift his nation.

    • Spanish abuses, execution of GomBurZa:

      Awakened Rizal's spirit of patriotism and inspired him to consecrate his life and talents to redeem his oppressed people

Friar Lands & Land Dispute

  • Background of Spanish Land Ownership:

    • Spanish conquistadors were granted lands through haciendas.

    • Approximately 120 Spaniards were granted either large tracts of land called sitio de ganado mayor or smaller tracts called caballerias.

    • The Galleon Trade led many Spaniards to return home.

  • Acquisition of Lands by Friars:

    • Spanish friars   acquired  the   land through whatever means.

    • Some lands were donated to the friars in exchange for spiritual favors.

    • Most friars obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish crown

  • Inquilinato System:

    • Composed of landlords, inquilinos (middle), and kasamas (bottom); inquilinos required to provide services to landowners.

    • Inquilinos who rented land for a fixed annual amount must also give personal services to the landlords

    • They could lease the land to a kasama who would then be responsible for cultivation.

Hecienda de Calamba Dispute

  • Originally owned by a Spaniard, donated to Jesuit friars; seized by the government after their expulsion.

  • In 1803, Don Clemente de Azansa bought the land, later sold to the Dominicans.

  • Rizal Family's Role:

    • Became one of the principal inquilinos with 330 hectares; primarily produced sugarcane.

    • Initiated agrarian reforms in 1887 but faced retaliatory rental hikes from Dominican friars.

Rizal’s pet dog: Usman

Rizal’s pony: Alipato