Parents of Jose Rizal
Francisco Mercado Rizal (Father)
- Patriarch of Rizal family
- Native of Biñan, Laguna
- Educated farmer – studied Latin & Philosophy (Colegio de San José, Manila)
- Of Chinese ancestry (great grandfather Domingo Lam-co from Amoy, China married Ines de la Rosa)
- Father Juan & grandfather = Capitanes (mayors) of Biñan
- Moved to Calamba as tenant farmer (Dominican estate)
- Married Teodora Alonso Realonda – June 28, 1848
- 1849: Gov. Claveria → Hispanization of surnames → chose “Rizal” (ricial = rice field)
- 1850: Petitioned court so children carried surname Rizal
Teodora Alonso Realonda (Mother)
- Manileña; highly educated Filipina
- Graduate of Colegio de Santa Rosa
- Of Spanish & Japanese ancestry
- Talented in literature, culture, business; fluent in Spanish
- Helped in farming & business; devoted to children’s education & morals
- Lineage: traced to Lakandula (ruler of Tondo)
- Great grandfather: Eugenio Ursua (Japanese blood)
- Maternal grandfather: Manuel de Quintos (lawyer)
- Paternal grandfather: Cipriano Alonzo (Capitan of Biñan)
- Father: Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo (engineer, knighted with Spanish honors)
- Mother: Brigida de Quintos (fair, educated lady)
- After Claveria’s decree → adopted surname Realonda → full name: Teodora Alonzo Realonda
Rizal Family Home
- Spacious house with many rooms (for girls, boys, couple, and servants)
- Huge dining table with big ceiling fan
- Library: more than 1,000 Latin & Spanish books
- Backyard: nipa hut (cogon roof, bamboo walls) where children played
- Surrounded by fruit-bearing trees
Rizal Family Status & Livelihood
- Among the richest families in Calamba
- Belonged to the principalia (town aristocracy)
- Main livelihood: sugarcane plantation (rented from Dominicans)
- Other farms: coconut (copra), rice fields, fruit trees, turkey farm
- Owned sugar mill & ham press
- First native family in Calamba to own a carruaje (horse-drawn carriage)
- Doña Teodora (“Doña Lolay”) popular and respected in Calamba & Biñan
Rizal’s Early Childhood Learning
- Nickname: Pepe
- Gifted child; first teacher: mother Doña Teodora
- Age 3: learned Latin & Spanish alphabets
- Early training: work fast, be honest, pray to God
Rizal’s Siblings & Childhood Bonds
- Concepcion (Concha): playmate & best friend; died at age 3 (Jose was 4)
- Josefa: epileptic; Jose was more caretaker than playmate
- Trinidad (Trining): strong-willed, close to Jose, like a younger brother
Rizal’s Childhood Stories
- Learned legends & tales; nanny (yaya) told scary night stories
- Most unforgettable: “The Moth and the Flame” (El Amigo de los Niños)
Influence of Maternal Uncles
- Jose Alberto: taught sketching & drawing
- Manuel: taught fencing & wrestling
- Gregorio: inspired love for writing, poetry, and literature
Antipolo Pilgrimage (Age 7)
- When Soledad (11th child) was born, Don Francisco took Jose to Antipolo
- Jose was 7 years old
- Afterwards, visited Saturnina at La Concordia College (Sta. Ana, Manila)
Rizal’s Studies in Biñan
- Age 9, sent to Biñan to study under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
- Teacher adept in Latin & Spanish grammar; former teacher of Paciano
- Punished with ruler for mistakes; instilled discipline
- Frail & thin, bullied by classmates (Pedro – fought; Andres Salandanan – arm wrestling injury)
- Excelled later, won many prizes; surpassed schoolmates
- Maestro advised parents to send Jose to Manila for higher studies
Biñan: Valuable Experiences
- Met relatives; learned family history
- Friends: Leandro (cousin’s son), Jose Guevarra (painting partner)
- Learned painting under Mang Juancho (Justiniano’s father-in-law)
- Learned from Maestro Lucas Padua & Leon Monroy (Latin tutor)
Imprisonment of Doña Teodora
- Turning point in Rizal’s life; inspired future political activism
- Accused of conspiring with brother Jose Alberto to poison his wife
- No evidence, but arrested; Rizal was 11 years old
- Faced trial with dignity; case reopened due to Mayor Antonio Vivencio del Rosario
- Don Francisco hired two top Manila lawyers for defense
The Spanish Revolution (1868)
- Uprising against Queen Isabel II’s oppressive reign
- Led by Generals Francisco Serrano & Juan Prim
- Called “Revolución de Disgusto” (Revolution of Disgust)
- Result: Isabel II ousted, fled to France; Serrano became Regent
- Established republican gov’t; ended absolute monarchy
- Introduced liberal reforms in Spain & colonies
- New Governor-General for Philippines: Carlos Ma. de la Torre