The first chapter of Jose Rizal's life begins with his birth on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna,
Philippines. He was the seventh child of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso, both of whom
were prominent and educated members of the community. Rizal's parents were also active in the
Philippine nationalist movement, and they instilled in him a love for his country and a passion
for social justice from a young age.
Rizal's early education began in his home under the guidance of his mother, who was a welleducated and cultured woman. He also received additional lessons from private tutors and was
eventually sent to a boarding school in Binan, Laguna, where he continued his studies.
At the age of eleven, Rizal went to Manila to attend the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, a Jesuitrun school. It was here that he excelled academically and developed his love for the arts,
particularly poetry and painting. He also became fluent in several languages, including Spanish,
which would later become the language he used to write his literary works.
Despite his academic success, Rizal faced discrimination and racial prejudice during his time at
the Ateneo. He was often treated differently because of his mixed race heritage, which included
Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino ancestry. This experience would shape his views on the
importance of racial equality and the need for social justice in the Philippines.
Overall, the first chapter of Rizal's life lays the foundation for his later accomplishments as a
writer, artist, and revolutionary. It also highlights the influences that shaped his beliefs and
values, which would ultimately lead him to become a leading figure in the Philippine nationalist
movement.