Doctor José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

Meanings of Rizal’s name

Rizal completed his medical course in Spain and conferred the decree of Licentiate in

Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid and carried a Doctor profession. Jose was

chosen by his mother who was devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph). Protacio

from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar. Mercado adopted in 1731 by

Domigo Lamco the paternal great-great-grandfather of Jose Rizal which the Spanish term

Mercado means ‘Market’ in English. Rizal from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means ‘a field

where wheat, cut while still green sprouts again’. Alonzo the old surname of his mother. Y is

and. Realonda was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her grandmother based on the

culture by that time.

Early life

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to Francisco

Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine

sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had already

learned the English alphabet. And, by the age of five, José could already read and write. A

brilliant student who became proficient in multiple languages, José Rizal studied medicine in

Manila. In 1882, he traveled to Spain to complete his medical degree. Jose Rizal was a writer.

He composed all of these pieces in addition to letters, diary entries, and some other speeches.

He was a major advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. His

works and his words made him a major target during the revolution, and he was put on trial

and executed for his beliefs, making him a martyr of the revolution. When he was put to

death, he was only 35 years ago. He had achieved so much as a young man, that we can only

imagine that he would have accomplished had he been given the opportunity.
Rizal’s Family

Jose Rizal’s father Francisco was the youngest of 13 children of Juan and Cirila Mercado. He

was born in Binan, Laguna, studied in San Jose College of Manila and died in Manila.

Teodora, the mother of Jose Rizal, was a business-minded, religious and hardworking

individual who was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827. She was the second

child of Brijida de Quintos and Lorenzo Alonso. Teodora had Spanish and Japanese ancestors

while the father of Teodora was a half Spaniard engineer known as Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo.

She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. Teodora died in Manila in 1913. The parents of

Jose Rizal were both farmers who were granted by the Dominicans with the lease of a

hacienda together with a rice farm. Saturnina Rizal was the eldest of the offspring of

Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda. She married Manuel Hidalgo who hailed

from Tanauan, Batangas. The only brother of Jose Rizal was Paciano Rizal and was the

second child. Paciano studied at the San Jose College in Manila and worked as a farmer and

later as a general of the Philippine Revolution. The other sisters of Jose Rizal were

Narcisa,Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad and Soledad. Soledad was the

youngest child and later was married to Pantaleon Quintero.

Educational background of Rizal

José Rizal Mercado attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating at the age of 16

with the highest honors. He took a post-graduate course there in land surveying.Rizal

Mercado completed his surveyor's training in 1877 and passed the licensing exam in May

1878, but he could not receive a license to practice because he was only 17 years old. He was

eventually granted a license in 1881 when he reached the age of majority. While he originally

obtained a land surveyor and assessor’s degree in Ateneo, Rizal also took up a preparatory
course on law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that his mother

was going blind, he decided to switch to medicine school in UST and later on specialized in

ophthalmology. In May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain, and earned his

Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid. Apart from being known as an

expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents.

He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe for about 10

years, he also became a polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and

creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology,

anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

8 Most Important Literary works of Rizal

To the Filipino Youth- Rizal wrote this literary poem when he was still studying at the

University of Sto. Tomas (UST). Originally written in Spanish (A la juventud filipina), Rizal

submitted this piece for a poem contest organized for Filipinos by the Manila Lyceum of Art

and Literature. At the age of 18, this work is beaming with strong messages to convince

readers, the youth in particular, that they are the hope of the nation. He also stresses the

importance of education to one’s future. Rizal won the first prize and was rewarded with a

feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma.

Goodbye to Leonor- This literary piece gives an insight into the romantic relationship of

Rizal and his beloved, Leonor Rivera. The two met when in the province of Dagupan when

Rivera was only 13-years-old. Rivera’s parents were not in favor of their relationship and

though distance separated them, the two kept in touch by sending letters and photographs to

each other. Rizal later found out that her lady love would soon tie the knot with Henry

Kipping, and the news definitely disheartened him. The lonely, heartbreaking feelings he felt,

resulted in this melancholic poem.

To The Young Women of Malolos reflects his inheritance and issues reminders to Filipino

women. In his letter, he addresses all kinds of Filipino women – mothers, wives, and even the

single women. Throughout this literary piece, he highlights the qualities that Filipino mothers

should possess, the duties of wives to their husbands and children, and a counsel on how

young women should choose their lifetime partners. The idea behind this letter sparked after

he was impressed by the women of Malolos who won the battle they fought. Rizal advises

women to educate themselves, protect their dignity and honor, and live with good manners –

setting up as a role model.

Kundiman- A kundiman traditionally refers to a love song where a man serenades the

woman he loves. For scholars, this word was derived from the Tagalog phrase “Kung Hindi

man” (if it should not be so) which suggests that people put their faith in a Higher Being who

decides whether or not something is meant for them. But in Rizal’s literary work, he wrote a

kundiman to profess his intense love for his motherland. This piece reflects his high hopes

that one day, the Philippines would be free from treachery and injustice. At the time, the

country faced great threats while he was in Europe. And, through this work, he voices his

hopeful thoughts despite being far away from the country.

Junto Al Pasig- When translated into English, the title of this work means Beside Pasig

River. In response to the Jesuits’ request, Rizal wrote this one-act play in the Spanish

language for the velada – a gala variety program during the principal feast days. The play

centers around Leonido (a young Filipino who has a strong faith in the Virgin) and the

Diwata/Satan, which symbolizes the Spanish oppression towards Filipinos. Its theme

highlights Christianity, good vs. evil, and paganism. The Philippines’ national hero wrote it

in honor of the Our Lady of Peace and Voyage of the UST, and the play was staged on

December 8, 1880.
Noli Me Tángere- One of the most sought-after books in Philippine literature until today, is

Rizal’s famous novel titled Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not). Driven by his undying love for

his country, Rizal wrote the novel to expose the ills of Philippine society during the Spanish

colonial era. At the time, the Spaniards prohibited the Filipinos from reading the

controversial book because of the unlawful acts depicted in the novel. Yet they were not able

to ban it completely and as more Filipinos read the book, it opened their eyes to the truth that

they were being manhandled by the friars. In this revolutionary book, you’ll learn the story of

Crisostomo Ibarra, how he dealt with Spanish authorities, and how he prepared for his

revenge, as told in Rizal’s second book, El Filibusterismo.

El Filibusterismo- This is Rizal’s sequel to his first book, Noli Me Tángere. In El

Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed), the novel exhibits a dark theme (as opposed to the

hopeful atmosphere in the first novel) in which it depicts the country’s issues and how the

protagonist attempts a reform. The story takes place 13 years after Noli Me Tángere, where

revolutionary protagonist Crisostomo Ibarra is now under the guise of Simoun – a wealthy

jewelry tycoon. Because the novel also portrays the abuse, corruption, and discrimination of

the Spaniards towards Filipinos, it was also banned in the country at the time. Rizal dedicated

his second novel to the GOMBURZA – the Filipino priests named Mariano Gomez, Jose

Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who were executed on charges of subversion. The two

novels of Rizal, now considered as his literary masterpieces, both indirectly sparked the

Philippine Revolution.

Mi último adios- After being associated with the Katipuneros, Rizal was arrested and later

sentenced to death by firing squad for acts of sedition and rebellion. During his final days in

Fort Santiago of Manila, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen through letters.

Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell is one of the few last works that Rizal wrote.
Today, Rizal’s literary works, specifically his two novels, are alive and continuously being

analyzed by students and professionals. Colleges and universities in the Philippines even

require their students to take a subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal.

Through his work, the country’s national hero is always remembered and looked upon with

high regard for his contribution towards the Philippine independence.

Reforms of Rizal

Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization called the La Liga

Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms through legal means. Now Rizal was

considered even more of a threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and essays),

which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao.

This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal

built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and worked on agricultural

projects such as using abaca to make ropes. In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then

Governor-General Blanco, after volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow

fever victims. But at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was

accused of being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he was

arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before the court martial. Rizal

was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore, sentenced to death by

firing squad. Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen

through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José Rizal

was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan

(now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to shoot him, he faced the squad and

uttered in his final breath: “Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical

accounts, only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.
Legacy of Rizal

The Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. And with the assistance of the United

States, the Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was

the time that the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in

Kawit, Cavite. Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly

remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously

being analyzed by students and professionals. Colleges and universities in the

Philippines even require their students to take a subject which centers around the life

and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each

year – to commemorate his life and works. Filipinos look back at how his founding of

La Liga Filipina and his two novels had an effect on the early beginnings of the

Philippine Revolution. The people also recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty

through peaceful means rather than violent revolution. To commemorate what he did

for the country, the Philippines built a memorial park for him – now referred to as

Rizal Park, found in Manila. There lies a monument which contains a standing bronze

sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain his remains. The

monument stands near the place where he fell during his execution in Luneta.