○ Died on August 16, 1911, at age

Chapter 1: Advent of a National Hero for your reviewer: 85.

○ Refused a life pension from the
Rizal as a Hero Philippine government.

● Most gifted hero in Philippine history. The Rizal Siblings

● A patriotic martyr and genius with various
professions: ● Saturnina (Neneng): Eldest, married
○ Ophthalmic surgeon, poet, Manuel Hidalgo.
dramatist, essayist, novelist, ● Paciano: Older brother, joined the
historian, architect, painter, revolution, became a combat general and
sculptor, educator, linguist, later a farmer.
musician, naturalist, ethnologist, ● Narcisa (Sisa): Married Antonio Lopez, a
surveyor, engineer, farmer, teacher.
businessman, economist, ● Olimpia (Ypia): Married Silvestre Ubaldo, a
geographer, cartographer, telegraph operator.
bibliophile, philologist, grammarian, ● Lucia: Married Mariano Herbosa (denied a
folklorist, etc. Catholic burial because of Rizal).
● Maria (Biang): Married Daniel Faustino Cruz.
The Birth of Rizal ● Jose (Pepe): National hero, multiple love
interests, had a child with Josephine Bracken
● Born on June 19, 1861 (Wednesday night) in who died after birth.
Calamba, Laguna. ● Concepcion (Concha): Died at 3 years old;
● Born during the term of Lt. General Jose Rizal’s first sorrow.
Lemery, a former senator of Spain. ● Josefa (Panggoy): Died unmarried at age
● Mother almost died during delivery. 80.
● Baptized on June 22, 1861, by Father Rufino ● Trinidad (Trining): Died unmarried at age
Collantes. 83.
○ Godfather: Father Pedro Casanas. ● Soledad (Choleng): Married Pantaleon
○ Father Collantes noticed the infant’s Quintero.
large head.
Rizal’s Ancestry
Rizal’s Parents
● Rizal had a mix of Negrito, Indonesian,
● Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898): Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish
○ Born on May 11, 1818, in Biñan, blood.
Laguna. ● Great-great grandfather: Domingo Lamco,
○ Studied Latin and Philosophy at a Chinese immigrant from Fukien, China.
Colegio de San Jose, Manila. ○ Adopted the surname Mercado
○ Moved to Calamba, became a due to his merchant status.
tenant-farmer. ○ Francisco Mercado (Rizal’s father)
○ Died on January 5, 1898, at age 80. was the grandson of Domingo.
○ Described by Rizal as the “model of ● Teodora’s family descended from
fathers.” Lakan-Dula, the last native King of Tondo.
● Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911):
○ Born on November 8, 1826, in The Surname Rizal
Manila.
○ Studied at College of Santa Rosa. ● The original family surname was Mercado.
○ Skilled in literature, math, and ● The name Rizal was adopted later.
business; had a refined culture.
○ Corrected Rizal’s Spanish poems. The Rizal Home
 ● Located in Calamba, Laguna. ○ At age three, he became observant
● A distinguished, two-storey stone house with of nature, fascinated by birds and
a red-tiled roof. their songs.
● Described as a happy home. ● Family Rituals
○ His family gathered every evening
Family Life to pray the Angelus, led by his
mother.
● The Rizal family belonged to the principalia ○ Rizal’s aya (nursemaid) shared
(middle-class). stories of fairies and folklore, which
● The family farmed crops, raised animals, and sparked his early interest in legends
managed: and imaginative tales.
○ A general goods store. ○ Sometimes, the aya would threaten
○ A small flour mill. Rizal with stories of aswang and
○ A home-made ham press. other mythical creatures to make
● Owned a carriage (status symbol). him behave.
● Involved in social and religious community ● Imaginative Play
affairs. ○ Rizal’s aya often took him on walks
● All the children were sent to college. in the town under the moonlight,
inspiring his imagination and
Home Life of the Rizals fantasy.

● Simple, contented, and happy family life. The Hero’s First Sorrow
● Parents were strict but loving.
● Followed the belief: “Spare the rod, and ● Rizal’s first sorrow was the death of his
spoil the child.” sister, Concha (Concepcion), at age three. He
● Attended Mass daily and prayed together at loved her dearly and cried bitterly over her
home. passing.
● Children had freedom to play in the garden
or azotea. Devotion to the Church
● Older children played with kids from other
families. ● Rizal grew up deeply religious, joining family
prayers at the age of three and reading the
Chapter 2: Childhood Years in Calamba: Spanish Bible by age five.
● He was fond of attending church, religious
● Fond Memories of Calamba processions, and novenas.
○ Rizal grew up in a joyful, loving ● He admired Father Leoncio Lopez, Calamba’s
home in Calamba, where he spent parish priest, and often visited him for
the happiest period of his life. advice.
○ His deep love for his hometown was
expressed in his poem Un Recuerdo Pilgrimage to Antipolo
A Mi Pueblo ("In Memory of My
Town"), written at age 15 while ● In 1868, Rizal and his father went on a
studying at Ateneo de Manila. pilgrimage to Antipolo, fulfilling his mother’s
vow made when Rizal was born.
Earliest Childhood Memories
The Story of the Moth
● Infancy
○ Rizal was a frail and sickly child, ● Rizal’s mother often told him fables,
given tender care by his parents. including the story of the moth, which left a
○ His earliest memory was playing in lasting impression on him about the value of
a nipa cottage in the family garden. sacrifice for noble causes.
Artistic Talents ○ Rizal believed that divine
providence played a significant role
● Early Artistic Expressions in shaping his fate.
○ At age five, Rizal began sketching
and molding objects out of clay and Chapter 3: Early Education in Biñan:
wax.
○ He painted a town banner at the ● Early Education
request of the town mayor, ○ Rizal's early education took place in
impressing the townspeople. Calamba and Biñan, Laguna.
● Literature ○ It was characterized by strict and
○ At age eight, Rizal wrote his first rigid instruction, focusing on
poem, Sa Aking Mga Kababata, and memorization and discipline.
also created his first play, a Tagalog ○ Education during that time centered
comedy that was performed in on the "Four Rs": Reading, Writing,
Calamba and later in Paete. Arithmetic, and Religion.
● Magic and Performance ○ Despite physical frailty, Rizal
○ Rizal entertained his town with excelled intellectually, preparing him
magic lantern exhibitions and for higher studies.
marionette performances. ● First Teacher: Doña Teodora
○ Rizal’s mother, Doña Teodora, was
Lakeshore Reveries his first teacher.
○ She was patient, understanding,
● Rizal often meditated by Laguna de Bay, and taught Rizal the alphabet and
where he reflected on the oppression of his prayers at age three.
people and began to develop his ○ Doña Teodora discovered Rizal's
determination to fight for their freedom. talent for poetry and encouraged
him to write.
Influences on Rizal’s Boyhood ○ To make learning enjoyable, she
narrated stories to Rizal alongside
● Hereditary Influences formal lessons.
○ Malayan ancestors: Love for ● Private Tutors
freedom, desire to travel, and ○ As Rizal grew, private tutors were
courage. hired to teach him.
○ Chinese ancestors: Seriousness, ○ His tutors included:
frugality, patience, and love for ■ Maestro Celestino
children. ■ Maestro Lucas Padua
○ Spanish ancestors: Elegance, ■ Leon Monroy (a classmate
sensitivity, and gallantry. of Rizal’s father), who
○ Father: Self-respect, love of work, taught him Spanish and
and independent thinking. Latin but passed away
○ Mother: Religious devotion, after 5 months.
self-sacrifice, and love for arts and ○ After Monroy’s death, Rizal was
literature. sent to a private school in Biñan.
● Environmental Influences ● Arriving in Biñan
○ Paciano (brother): Influenced ○ Rizal and his brother Paciano
Rizal’s love for freedom and justice. arrived in Biñan and stayed at their
○ Sisters: Taught Rizal to be aunt's house.
courteous and kind to women. ○ That night, Rizal felt homesick
○ Aya’s fairy tales: Sparked Rizal’s despite going sightseeing with his
imagination and interest in legends. cousin Leandro.
● Aid of Divine Providence ● First Day in Biñan
 ○ Paciano brought Rizal to the school ○ Despite his excellence, older
of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, students sometimes became jealous
who was also Paciano’s former and reported his fights, leading to
teacher. punishment.
○ Rizal felt embarrassed when asked ● End of Biñan Schooling
if he knew Spanish and Latin, ○ In December 1870, Rizal received a
responding modestly as the class letter from his sister Saturnina
laughed. informing him that a steamer, Talim,
○ Rizal described Maestro Justiniano would bring him back to Calamba.
as tall, thin, with a bent-forward ○ Before leaving, he collected pebbles
posture, wearing a sinamay shirt, from the river and said goodbye to
and having a deep knowledge of his teacher and classmates.
Latin grammars. ● Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za (1872)
● First School Brawl ○ On January 20, 1872, Filipino
○ On his first day, Rizal fought with a soldiers and workmen mutinied
bully named Pedro, winning due to against the abolition of certain
wrestling skills taught by his uncle, privileges, but the mutiny was
Tio Manuel. suppressed.
○ This victory earned Rizal respect, ○ Spanish authorities exaggerated the
though he later lost an mutiny as a revolt, which led to the
arm-wrestling match to another execution of Filipino priests Fathers
classmate, Andres Salandanan. Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and
● Painting Lessons in Biñan Jacinto Zamora (Gom-Bur-Za) on
○ Rizal took painting lessons from an February 17, 1872.
old painter named Juancho, the ○ The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za
father-in-law of his school teacher. deeply impacted Rizal, inspiring him
○ He became an apprentice along to fight against Spanish oppression.
with his classmate, Jose Guevarra, ○ Paciano, Rizal’s brother, who had
and both were known as the class’s known Father Burgos personally,
best painters. quit school and shared the story of
● Daily Life in Biñan Gom-Bur-Za with the young Rizal.
○ Rizal's life in Biñan was simple and ● Rizal’s Inspiration from Gom-Bur-Za
structured. His routine included: ○ Rizal later expressed that without
■ Attending mass at 4 AM, the events of 1872, he would not
then eating breakfast (rice have become a patriot.
and dried fish). ○ He credited the martyrdom as a
■ Studying from 4 AM until major influence on his future
10 AM, with a break for writings, including Noli Me Tangere
lunch. and El Filibusterismo, which he
■ Afternoon classes from 2 dedicated to Gom-Bur-Za.
PM to 5 PM, followed by ● Injustice to Doña Teodora
prayers and supper. ○ Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora, was
■ After supper, he studied, falsely accused of poisoning her
drew, and occasionally brother-in-law’s wife, a case driven
played with cousins under by revenge from a Spanish
the moonlight. lieutenant.
● Best Student in School ○ She was arrested and forced to
○ Rizal excelled in academics, walk 50 km to Santa Cruz, where
especially in Spanish and Latin, she was imprisoned for two and a
outperforming his classmates. half years before being absolved of
the charges.
 ○ Rizal was deeply affected by this ○ The prophecy came true.
injustice, which further fueled his ● Teenage Interest in Reading
desire to fight for the oppressed. ○ Developed a passion for romantic
novels like The Count of Monte
Chapter 4: Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo De Cristo.
Manila (1872-1877) ○ Also read non-fiction such as
Universal History and Travels in the
● Rizal Enters Ateneo (June 10, 1872) Philippines.
○ Accompanied by Paciano to Manila. ● Third Year in Ateneo (1874-1875)
○ Took entrance exams at College of ○ Excelled academically but won only
San Juan de Letran (Christian one medal.
Doctrine, Arithmetic, Reading). ○ Struggled with Spanish fluency.
○ Passed exams but enrolled at ● Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)
Ateneo upon father's decision. ○ Became an interno at Ateneo.
● Jesuit System of Education ○ Mentored by Fr. Francisco de Paula
○ More advanced than other colleges. Sanchez, who inspired him to study
○ Focused on character training, rigid and write poetry.
discipline, and religious instruction. ○ Won five medals and topped his
○ Students divided into two groups: class.
Roman Empire (internos) and ● Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)
Carthaginian Empire (externos). ○ Excelled in all subjects including
○ Ranks: Emperor (Best), Tribune philosophy, physics, biology,
(Second Best), Decurion (Third chemistry, and languages.
Best), Centurion (Fourth Best), ○ Graduated with the highest honors
Standard-bearer (Fifth Best). on March 23, 1877, earning a
● Rizal's First Year in Ateneo Bachelor of Arts degree.
(1872-1873) ● Extra-curricular Activities
○ First professor: Fr. Jose Bech. ○ Active member and secretary of the
○ Initially placed at the bottom due to Marian Congregation.
limited Spanish skills. ○ Member of the Academy of Spanish
○ Rapid progress; became class Literature and the Academy of
emperor by the end of the month. Natural Sciences.
○ Took private Spanish lessons at ○ Pursued painting, sculpture,
Santa Isabel College. gymnastics, and fencing.
○ Finished second overall at the end ● Sculptural Works
of the year. ○ Carved a statue of the Virgin Mary
● Summer Vacation (1873) and an image of the Sacred Heart
○ Visited his imprisoned mother in of Jesus.
Santa Cruz. ○ The latter remained at Ateneo as a
○ Shared his academic achievements symbol of Rizal’s talent.
with her. ● Anecdotes on Rizal
● Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874) ○ Showed kindness and patience,
○ Studied harder to regain class even in difficult situations.
leadership. ○ Helped a classmate retrieve a kite
○ Achieved “emperor” status and stuck on a building.
earned excellent grades and a gold ● Poems Written in Ateneo
medal. ○ "Mi Primera Inspiración" written for
● Prophecy of Mother’s Release his mother’s birthday.
○ Predicted his mother’s release from ○ Other notable poems include
prison within three months after Felicitación, El Embarque, and Un
interpreting her dream. Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo.
 ● Rizal’s First Romance ● Parents were unaware of his journey; feared
○ At 16, he fell in love with Segunda their disapproval.
Katigbak, but the romance ended ● Departed on May 3, 1882, aboard the
due to her engagement to Manuel Spanish steamer “Salvadora.”
Luz. ● Created a sketch of the Manila skyline as a
● Indio Chongo!" while Filipinos retorted with farewell symbol.
"Kastilla bangus!"
● Founded Compañerismo in 1880, leading Singapore Experience
Filipino students in brawls against Spanish
students. ● Aboard “Salvadora,” observed diverse fellow
● Rizal was the chief, with his cousin Galicano passengers.
Apacible as secretary. ● Developed a friendship with Captain Donato
Lecha.
Unhappy Days at UST ● Engaged in chess matches with older
passengers.
● Experienced hostility from Dominican ● Arrived in Singapore on May 8, 1882;
professors. explored Botanical Garden and city
● Filipino students faced racial discrimination. landmarks.
● Obsolete and repressive teaching methods
frustrated Rizal, as described in El Journey to Colombo
Filibusterismo’s "Class in Physics."
● Transferred to French steamer “Djemnah” on
Decision to Study Abroad May 11.
● Struggled with French communication;
● After completing four years of medical study, improved through interaction.
Rizal decided to continue his education in ● Reached Point Galle on May 17; described it
Spain. as lonely.
● His decision was supported by his siblings ● Found Colombo more beautiful than previous
and friends but was made without his stops.
parents' consent.
● Rizal sought a more liberal education than
Crossing the Suez Canal
what UST offered.
● Explored Aden; amused by camels.
Chapter 6: In Sunny Spain focusing on the
● Experienced the Suez Canal for the first
important details:
time, which took five days.
● Fascinated by the multi-racial population in
Jose Rizal's Discontent in the Philippines Port Said.

● Studied medicine at the University of Santo

Arrival in Naples and Marseilles
Tomas for four years.
● Faced outdated teaching methods and racial
● Reached Naples on June 11, 1882;
discrimination from Dominican professors.
captivated by its beauty.
● Desired academic freedom found in Spain’s
● Disembarked in Marseilles on June 12;
constitutional monarchy.
visited Château d'If.
● Had a “secret mission” to gather knowledge
● Spent two and a half days exploring
for the liberation of the Philippines.
Marseilles.

Secret Departure to Spain

Barcelona

● Planned departure was discreet to avoid

● Arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882;
Spanish authorities.
initially unimpressed.
 ● Gradually appreciated the city’s liberal
atmosphere and hospitality.
● Welcomed by the Filipino community; shared
news from the Philippines.

"Amor Patrio"

● Wrote “Amor Patrio,” his first essay in Spain,

published in "Diariong Tagalog."
● Emphasized love for the motherland and
urged compatriots to be patriotic.
● Followed up with articles “Los Viajes” and
“Revista de Madrid.”

Life in Madrid

● Enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid on

November 3, 1882, studying Medicine and
Philosophy.
● Studied painting, sculpture, and various
languages; avoided vices.
● Socialized with fellow Filipino students and
visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey’s home.

Romance with Consuelo Ortiga y Pérez

● Consuelo fell in love with Rizal; he wrote her

a poem on August 22, 1883.
● Ended the romance to remain loyal to
fiancée Leonor Rivera and maintain
friendship with Eduardo de Lete.

"They Ask Me For Verses"

● Became a member of the "Círculo

Hispano-Filipino" in Madrid