RIZAL’S LIFE (CHILDHOOD TO LIFE ABROAD)

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y

Alonzo Realonda

-born on June 19,

1861, in Calamba,
Laguna.
-Seventh child of Francisco
Mercado and Teodora
Alonzo.
- Rizal’s first and second names were inspired
by the Catholic calendar, as June 19 is the
- The Mercado family
was part of the
principalia
- Rizal was particularly
close to his siblings,
especially his older
brother Paciano who
played a mentor role
and influenced Rizal's
nationalist ideals.
- only two out of
Francisco Mercado Teodora Alonzo (1827-1911):
(1818-1898): She was Rizal’s mother and often
He was Rizal’s father and was regarded as the most influential
often referred to as "Don figure in Rizal’s formative years.
Francisco". He was a farmer and She was imprisoned unjustly
a businessman and used this to twice, and it served as one of the
provide for his children. catalysts for Rizal’s criticism of
the Spanish government.
 Saturnina Rizal (1850-1913):
Rizal’s eldest sister. She was also called “Neneng” and
served as Rizal's second mother

Paciano Rizal (1851-1930):

Rizal’s only brother. He was also called “Liceo”. He was a
mentor and introduced Rizal to the liberal and reformist ideas
of the time. Paciano was also an active revolutionary.
Narcisa Rizal (1852-1939):
She was known as “Sisa”. She
helped locate Rizal’s remains after
his execution and ensured they
were properly buried.

Olympia Rizal (1855-1887):

Also known as “Ypia,” she was close to Rizal and served as
his confidante
Lucia Rizal (1857-1919):
She was mostly known for being
reserved but supportive.

Maria Rizal (1859-1945):

Affectionately called “Biang,” she
often wrote to Rizal while he was
abroad
Jose Rizal (1861-1896):
One of the greatest Filipino heroes, he wrote the books Noli
me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He was known as “Pepe”

Concepcion Rizal (1862-1865):

She died at the young age of
three. Her death served as one of
Rizal’s earliest encounters with
grief. She was affectionately
called “Concha”.
Trinidad Rizal (1868-1951): Nicknamed “Trining,” she was
the one who received Rizal’s final poem, Mi Ultimo Adios,
hidden inside a lamp.
Josefa Rizal (1865-1945):
Also called “Panggoy,” she
remained unmarried and was
an active member of the
Katipunan.

Soledad Rizal (1870-1929):

Youngest sibling in the family.
She was also called
7 years old: he enrolled at the
Ateneo Municipal de Manila, a
Jesuit-run institution, in June of
1872, mere months following the
Cavite Mutiny. When enrolling at
Ateneo, Rizal was advised by his
family to use the surname Rizal
instead of Mercado as Paciano’s
association with Fr. Jose Burgos
Rizal was supposed to study in Colegio de San
Juan de Letran. He already passed the entrance
exams, but the incarceration of his mother
made him extend his stay in Laguna

This resulted in Rizal’s enrollment in

Ateneo. Rizal was almost denied
admission to Ateneo for various reasons.

Rizal was too young, failure to present

poof residency,
Rizal was supposed to study in Colegio de San
Juan de Letran.

This resulted in Rizal’s enrollment in Ateneo.

Rizal was almost denied admission to Ateneo for
various reasons.

Rizal was too young, failure to present poof

residency,

It was through the help of Manuel Xerez-Burgos,

nephew of Fr. Burgos, that Rizal was finally
- consistently earning high marks
and distinguishing himself as one
of Ateneo’s brightest students.
He was particularly skilled in
humanities, science, and
languages, mastering Spanish,
Latin, and Greek while also
excelling in philosophy and
mathematics.
- Rizal began writing poetry, such as Mi Primera
Inspiración dedicated to his mother, and
- Ateneo shaped Rizal’s
moral and personal
character.
- He participated in extracurricular
activities, including oratory,
drama, and arts, further
developing his confidence and
leadership. Ateneo’s influence
instilled in Rizal the values of
self-discipline, empathy, and
patriotism, trait that would later
- Rizal mostly credited Fr.
Francisco de Paula Sanchez
for his development in
Ateneo.

- He graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in
1877, receiving the
sobresaliente (outstanding)
distinction.
Rizal’s Formative Influences

Exposure to Spanish Colonial

Injustices: His family
experienced abuses under
Spanish authorities, notably
the unjust imprisonment of
his mother, which awakened
his sense of justice and
empathy
for the oppressed.
Rizal’s Formative Influences

Cultural Enrichment: The

stories and legends shared by
his mother and uncle, as well
as the beauty of Philippine
folklore, fueled his
imagination and love for the
arts.
Rizal’s Formative Influences

Paciano’s Influence: His older

brother introduced him to
the liberal ideas of
reformists, paving the way
for his eventual involvement
in nationalist movements.
Rizal’s Life
(Higher
Education and
Life Abroad)
Rizal started his journey in his higher
education at the University of Sto. Tomas. Rizal
pursued higher education both in the
Rizal initially enrolled in the
Faculty of Philosophy and
Letters at the University of
Santo Tomas, where he took up
a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1878, he shifted to the

Faculty of Medicine to become
a doctor, inspired by his
mother’s blindness.
His work A La Juventud
Filipina
won first place in a literary
contest

RIZAL STRUGGLES IN UST:

-Discrimination among
professors and students
-Outdated and rigid
In May 1882, Rizal secretly left
for Spain aboard the steamer
Salvadora to study at the
University of Central Madrid.

Why was it a secret?

-to avoid surveillance by the

colonial authorities
-their mother would object to
sending Rizal overseas
In Madrid, Rizal pursued a Licentiate in
Medicine and a Licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters simultaneously.

Rizal decided to specialize in ophthalmology to

treat his mother’s deteriorating eyesight.

Rizal traveled to Paris,

France in 1885 to study
ophthalmology under Dr.
Louis de Wecker, a
renowned French
Afterward, Rizal traveled
Heidelberg, Germany in
train under Dr. Otto Becker.
1886 He
to
also worked at the University to
Eye Hospital to develop his
surgical skills further.

While in Europe he delved

himself in sociology, history,
literature, science and learned
multiple languages. He wrote
Noli Me Tangere while doing
LIFE IN EUROPE

RISZAL’S STRUGGLES:

-Rizal faced financial difficulties, personal

sacrifices, and the loneliness of being away
from his family and country
-adapting to the language, culture, and climate.
- skipping meals and enduring cold winters in
poorly heated lodgings
He frequently relied on the support of his brother
Paciano and friends like Maximo Viola to sustain
his studies and fund his projects. These hardships
intensified during the publication of Noli Me
Tangere in Berlin, 1887, a task that drained his
limited resources.

While living alone in Europe Rizal found his both

source of inspiration and heartache through
Leonor Rivera, his greatest love.

Eventually, under pressure from her family,

He friendshi wit influenti
formed ps
such ash al
individuals Ferdinand
who became
closest confidants
Blumentritt, one of
and supporters.
his
His second novel, El
Filibusterismo, published in 1891,
reflected the growing urgency and
frustration of his advocacy. By this
time, Rizal was grappling with
the realization that peaceful reform
might not be enough to bring about
Rizal’s Exposure to Reformist Ideas

From 1882 to 1896,

Rizal's experiences abroad
immersed him in the
intellectual, social, and political
influenced
movements of the vision for
time, which
his Philippines.
deeply Rizal’s the
in Europe exposedand
interactions education
him
the to of the
principles the
particularly Enlightenment,
ideas of liberty,
equality, and fraternity
He the works
studied
philosophe of likeVoltaire,
rs Locke,
Rousseau,
Montesquieu, and
emphasized who
reason,
individual and
rights, contract.
social the
In Madrid, Rizal witnessed the flourishing of liberal
thought.
The political climate in Spain during the late 19th
century included debates about constitutional
monarchy, individual freedoms, and the role of the
Catholic Church.
He also experienced greater racial equality in
Europe compared to the Philippines, where
Filipinos were treated as second-class citizens.
His experience of witnessing Spanish liberalism
and European nationalism inspired Rizal to
dream of a progressive and united Filipino nation.

Rizal, in particular, wrote on topics such as

criticism of Spanish colonial policies, advocacy
for education, equal rights, and judicial reforms.
He also advocated for unity among Filipinos to