GEC 4 – Life and Works of Rizal______________________________________________________________
Lesson 5
Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
His Formal Schooling at Ateneo
His formal schooling begun on June 10, 1872 when he passed the entrance exams in Colegio de San Juan
de Letran. Though he passed with flying colors, his family already decided to send him to the Ateneo Municipal
(formerly Escuela Pia- a charity school for boys) for the obvious reason of avoiding a confrontation of young Jose
with the Dominicans who were much hated because of their land lease policies as well as the tragic incident where
Donya Teodora was accused of a crime that she never committed. When Rizal was in Ateneo, he was very much
interested in reading and some of his readings inspired Rizal to write his first novel, Noli Me Tangere. Some of
the notable books he read were;
a. The Count of Monte Cristo - was written by Alexander Dumas where he tackled the social justice of
the society at that time. Its main character, Edmond Dantes led the struggle for his people which
consequently made him the Count of Monte Cristo, which may be a destiny for those who are good to
others.
b. Universal History - was written by Cesar Cantu, an Italian historian of World History. Rizal
voraciously read the book which opened his awareness world history and the world around him.
c. Travels in the Philippines - was written by Feodor Jagor who traveled to the Philippines from 18591860. After reading the works of Jagor, Rizal realized the weaknesses of Spain and he predicted that
Filipinos will raise arms against them thereafter.
Atenean Education System
The Atenean educational system was one of the best training for boys second to Letran that time.
Moreover, the educational system of Ateneo was quite competitive. Based on the reckonings then, the students
were divided into two groups;
• Roman Empire - consisting of internos (boarders); red banner
• Carthaginian Empire - composed of the externos (non-boarders); blue banner
The levels of the 2 groups were divided into 5, namely;
• Emperor - the best student in each “empire”
• Tribune - the second best
• Decurion - the third best
• Centurion - the fourth best
• Stand-bearer - the fifth best
After a couple of months, Rizal showed that he excelled in philosophy, arts and sciences which was the
“core curriculum” of Ateneo at that time.
Rizal became “Sobresaliente”
After his stint in Ateneo, Jose Rizal was honored as “sobresaliente” or an “excellent” student. Aside from
his academic studies, young Jose was very active in “extra-curricular activities” such as being a member of the
Marian Congregation, cultivating his masterpieces under Father Sanchez, painting classes under Agustin Saez,
sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus and Father Lleonart who was impressed with Rizal’s achievements. Jose gave
him an image of the Virgin Mary (which was sculpted in “batikuling” wood for his masterpiece).
Rizal was successful in gaining excellent ratings in Ateneo. He won several awards aside from
“sobresaliente”. Moreover, aside from the academics, young Jose wrote his masterpieces. Among them was the
poem “Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of my Town)” which he wrote when he was 15 in 1876 where he
reminisced his provincial life in Binyang.
Rizal and the Cavite Mutiny of 1872
It was on January 20, 1872, when a group of mutineers rose arms in one of the shipyards in Kabite
(believed to be in Fort San Felipe) wherein they instigated the beginning of a rising revolution which was led by
Sgt. La Madrid. The main cause of mutiny probably was due to “polo y servicios” or forced labor and “buiz” or
taxes. In the latter days, all 200 soldiers were tried, executed and some were banished to Mindanao island. Some
of the supporters were also tried and executed by the Spanish authorities. The event was to suppress
“secularization” which was voiced out by the Filipino priests at that time.
The Execution of the Triumvirate Priests
The Cavite Mutiny is best described by the execution of the three priests- Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos
and Jacinto Zamora. They were responsible for the “Filipinization of parishes” or simply called, Secularization.
The execution of the 3 priests on February 17, 1872 became the catalyst for the Filipinos to raise arms. Rizal was
11 years old that time and was one of the “eyewitnesses” of the execution of the 3 priests by “garrote” in Luneta.
According to the late historian,Teodoro Agoncillo the year 1872 was the “beginning of Philippine History, that
the real history was written by nationalists. On the other hand, Schumacher (1997) described the manipulation of
the Spaniards of the parishes that were fighting for Filipinization by some Filipino priests; among them were
GomBurZa.
Injustices to Rizal’s Mother
Another challenge for Rizal was when his mother, Donya Teodora together with Senyor Alberto, were
accused by the latter’s wife of connivance to poison her. As a result of the “hearsay” from Senyor Alberto’s wife,
Donya Teodora was arrested. Though the mayor forced her to admit her guilt, she did not do so and so she was
imprisoned for almost 2 years. After reaching the Real Audiencia (the Spanish Supreme Court), the ease was
dismissed so Donya Teodora was released from prison. Unfortunately, the Rizal family were deeply hurt and the
damage done was very hard to accept.
Rizal and his “Disillusionment”
The events of 1872 where the triumvirate martyrs were executed in Luneta by “garrote” have opened the
eyes of many leading to a “political turmoil”. Rizal was 11 years of age when he saw the clamor of his countrymen
for justice and truth from the evil Castillan Empire. The events that took place as stated- the death of GomBurZa,
the persecution of his mother and the injustices committed by the friars in Kalamba’s tenancy were the trigger
points of young Jose to fight the Spaniards up to his last breath which ended at the Luneta execution.