The Life and Works of Dr.

Jose Rizal ●​ The final bill included a provision allowing Catholic

Introduction students to refrain from reading Rizal’s works,
●​ Dr. José Rizal (1861-1896), a Filipino nationalist, citing conscientious objections.
poet, and author of several influential novels,
including Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Conscientious Objectors
an account of religious corruption among Spanish A conscientious objector is a person who refuses to do
friars in the Philippines. certain acts based on a matter of conscience; rather, on
moral, ethical, or religious grounds.
●​ Dr. Rizal joined the Filipino student community in
Spain in his early twenties and became an In the case of Imbong v. Ochoa, a conscientious objector
outspoken member of the Propaganda Movement. refers to a person whose free exercise of religion is allegedly
●​ He was deeply inspired by the life and untimely burdened by government legislation or practice.
death of Father Jose Burgos, whose execution
Rizal’s brother had witnessed. A person who is forced by the government to follow rules or
actions that are against one’s religious beliefs, morals or
●​ The publication of NoliMe Tangere in 1887, which ethical beliefs are considered as a conscientious objector.
strongly condemned the Spanish Catholic friars,
was swiftly banned in the colonies. Frequently asked questions
●​ It was followed four years later by the similarly Why study Rizal?
incendiary sequel El Filibusterismo. What is the importance of studying Rizal?
Why is Rizal included in a course outline?
●​ The two novels contributed to the intellectual What relevance does Rizal have in college education?
development of the Philippine nationalist
movement. The answer to such questions can be summed up in two
points:
●​ Noli Me Tangere told the story of an affluent 1. First and foremost, because it is mandated by law.
mestizo Filipino who returns from seven years in 2. Secondly, because of the lesson contained within the
Europe intending to promote political and social course itself.
reform, but is barred by the colonial administration
and Catholic Church. The Rizal Law
R.A. No. 1425
●​ The narrative closely reflects the experiences of
Rizal and his contemporaries during the The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works and writings is
Propaganda Movement. mandated by Republic Act No.
1425 otherwise known as the Rizal Law.
●​ When Dr. José Rizal was executed by firing squad
in 1896 during the period of Philippine insurrection Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said
against the Spanish colonial government, falsely law, said that since Rizal
accused of fomenting violence and of associations was the founder of the Philippine nationalism and has
with the revolutionary Katipunan. contributed much to the current standing of his nation, it is
●​ Upon his execution, Dr. Rizal's figure was only right that the youth as well as the people in the country
reinterpreted through the lens of the passion of know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he
Christ; like Jesus, Rizal was rumored to have died.
twelve nationalist "apostles," and he was
considered a saintly figure in Philippine popular Nationalism vs. Patriotism
culture. Nationalism
●​ He is remembered today as the most prominent ●​ A strong identification with one's nation,
Filipino nationalist and the father of the modern often emphasizing cultural unity and a
Philippines. sense of superiority over other nations.
●​ "My nation is the best, and I'll do anything to
●​ In 1956, the Philippine government passed the promote its interests, even if it means putting
“Rizal Law, ” requiring that all universities provide others down."
mandatory courses on José Rizal and his works. Patriotism
●​ A love for one's country and a desire for its
●​ Interestingly, this was opposed by the Catholic well-being, encompassing all its citizens.
Church, which continued to resent its portrayal in ●​ "I love my country and want it to be a better place
Rizal’s novels despite the Filipino clergy’s early for everyone.”
association with the nationalist movement.
●​ Church leaders accused the bill’s proponent,
Senator Claro M. Recto, of being a communist and
anti-Catholic.
R.A. No. 1425 Section 2
The Rizal Law was enacted in 1956, to seek to accomplish ●​ It shall be obligatory for all schools, colleges, and
the following goals: universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
●​ To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals to number of copies of the original and unexpurgated
freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
lived and died. Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works
●​ To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his and biography.
life and works in shaping the Filipino character. ●​ The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
●​ To gain inspiring source of patriotism through the Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations
study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings. in English, as well as other writings of Rizal, shall
●​ To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and be included in the list of approved books for
teaching in relation to present conditions and required reading in all public or private schools,
situations in the society. colleges, and universities.
●​ To encourage the application of such ideals in ●​ The Board of National Education shall determine
current social and personal problems and issues. the adequacy of the number of books, depending
●​ To develop an appreciation and deeper upon the enrollment of the school, college, or
understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for. university.
●​ To foster the development of the Filipino youth in
all aspects of citizenship. Section 3
●​ The Board of National Education shall cause the
Full Title of R.A. No. 1425 translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in
WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION read them, through the Purok organizations and
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Barrio Councils throughout the country.

Section 1 Relevant Laws in relation to R.A. 1425

●​ Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose ●​ Republic Act No. 1124: created the Board of
Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El National Education to formulate general
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of educational policies.
all schools, colleges and universities, public or ●​ Batas Pambansa Blg. 232: abolished the Board
private: of National Education and transferred its functions,
●​ Provided that in the collegiate courses, the original personnel, records, and equipment to the Minister
or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere of Education, Culture and Sports (now the
and El Filibusterismo of their English translation Secretary of Education).
shall be used as basic texts. ●​ Republic Act No. 9155, also known as the
●​ The Board of National Education is hereby Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001,
authorized and directed to adopt forthwith renamed the Ministry of Education, Culture and
measures to implement and carry out the Sports to the Department of Education (DepEd)
provisions of this Section, including the writing and and redefined its role.
printing of appropriate primers, readers and
textbooks. 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES AS RIZAL’S CONTEXT
●​ The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the ●​ The essence of the life of JoseRizal is
effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and marked by the conditions that existed during his
regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, lifetime in thePhilippines
to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. and around the world, particularly in
●​ The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations Europe.
providing for the exemption of students for reasons ●​ Rizal is a product of his era, and his
of religious belief stated in a sworn written message sets forth a human declaration that all
statement, from the requirement of the provision human beings without any distinction of any kind
contained in the second part of the first paragraph are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
of this section; but not from taking the course ●​ The 19th century stands out as an extremely
provided for in the first part of said paragraph. dynamic and creative age, especially in Europe
●​ Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty and the United States.
(30) days after their publication in the Official ●​ During this period, such concepts as industrialism,
Gazette. democracy, and nationalism gained ascendancy
and triggered revolutionary changes in science,
technology, economics, and politics.
 ●​ These changes enabled man to achieve the 8.​ Prejudice against Filipinos in the schools of
heights of prosperity and dignity unattained before higher learning
it. a.​ The supposed Philippine education was
only a means to remain in the
HOWEVER, Philippines as colonizers.
●​ 19th century Philippines was largely medieval, b.​ For this reason, the Filipinos became
although signs of progress or change were noted followers to the Spaniards in their own
in certain sectors. country.
●​ Its social and economic structure was based on c.​ Even auspicious Filipinos became
the old feudalistic patterns of abuse and cronies, to the extent that even their life
exploitation of the Indio. styles were patterned from the
●​ Its censorship and racially discriminatory practices Spaniards.
were oppressive. 9.​ Friar control over the system
●​ Intellectual decadence prevailed, and government a.​ The friars controlled the educational
processes had no respect for the needs of the system during the Spanish times.
people. b.​ They owned different schools, ranging
●​ The earlier clamor for reforms had remained from the primary level to the tertiary
unheeded; social discontent confused the people. levels of education.
●​ Educated members of the middle class who went c.​ The missionaries took charge in
abroad stepped right into the currents of modern teaching, controlling and maintaining the
liberalism and the dynamism and creativity of the rules and regulations imposed to the
new era of the western European continent. students.
●​ These foreign contacts and the feudal Philippine ●​ The Educational Decree of 1863 marked a
conditions profoundly influenced the development milestone in the history of education in the
of a sense of nationhood among the Filipinos. Philippines under Spain.
○​ For the first time, provisions were made
EDUCATION IN THE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES for establishing teacher training schools
1.​ Overemphasis on religious matters and government supervision of the
a.​ The friars of the Augustinian, public school system.
Dominican, and Franciscan orders ●​ The government in Spain issued Moret Decree of
conducted many of the executive and 1870, which intended to secularize higher
control functions of government on the education in the colony.
local level. ○​ The friars strongly opposed the idea of
b.​ They were responsible for education government control over higher
and health measures. These education in the Philippines.
missionaries emphasized the teachings ○​ This bitter opposition, coupled with the
of the Catholic religion starting from the political developments in Spain, made
primary level to the tertiary level of implementing the Moret Decree
education. impossible.
2.​ Obsolete teaching methods
a.​ Their methods are outdated. ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE 19TH CENTURY
3.​ Limited curriculum PHILIPPINES
a.​ The students in the primary level were ●​ The country was opened to foreign trade at the
taught the Christian Doctrines, the end of the 18th century which resulted in the rapid
reading of Spanish books and a little of rise of foreign firms in Manila.
the natives' language. ●​ This stimulated agricultural production and export
b.​ Science and Mathematics were not very of sugar, rice hemp and tobacco.
much taught to the students even in the ●​ The number of families which prospered from
universities. foreign commerce and trade were able to send
4.​ Poor classroom facilities their sons for an education in Europe.
5.​ Absence of teaching materials ●​ Filipinos who were educated abroad were able to
6.​ Primary education was neglected absorb the intellectual development in Europe.
7.​ Absence of academic freedom
a.​ Learning in every level was largely by Galleon Trade
rote. ●​ The Galleon Trade was the longest-running
b.​ Students memorized and repeated the shipping line of its time which existed for roughly
contents of book which they did not 150 years.
understand. In most cases knowledge ●​ It carried silver, gold, spices, silk, and fashionable
was measured in the ability of the objects between 1565-1815.
students to memorize, largely ●​ Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route.
hampering intellectual progress.
Opening of the Philippines to International Trade and the ●​ The Peninsulares are Spaniards who were born in
Rise of the Middle Class Spain.
●​ Manila was opened to foreign trade which brought
prosperity to the Filipinos and Chinese mestizo Spanish Insulares
resulting to the existence of middle class. ●​ those Spaniards born in the Philippines to
full-blooded Spanish parents.
Influx of European Liberalism ●​ During the colonial period, the term “Filipino” was
●​ Ideas of the enlightened philosophers like John reserved for this group.
Locke and Jean Jacques Rosseau, masonry and ●​ They are slightly inferior to the peninsulares
the French Revolution reached the Philippines. because of the distinction of having been born on
●​ Liberty, religious freedom, democracy, human Philippine Island; thus, their Spanish blood was
rights such as suffrage, freedom of speech, press tainted by their place of birth.
and form associations and assemblies.
Middle:
Opening of the Suez Canal on November 17, 1869 Mestizo de Español
●​ Connects Mediterranean and Red Sea; shortened ●​ offspring of Spanish father and Indio mother.
distance between Europe and Orient ●​ They were exempted from the tribute or head tax
●​ Suez Canal decreases the road between Europe imposed by the Spanish colonial government.
and South Asia from 16000 km (travel from the ●​ Spanish mestizos who closely resembled
Cape of Spaniards held a higher social status than indios.
Good Hope) to 10000 km. ●​ Some Spanish mestizos, particularly those who
●​ It refers to reduced fuel payments for companies, retained their Spanish connections and privileges,
transportation of products in fewer days, and emerged as a significant part of the influential
growing economies worldwide. Principalía, or native nobility class.
●​ If we think that around 80% of world trade is via
waterways, it would be easier for us to imagine the Mestizo de Sangleyes
effect of the Suez Canal on the economy. ●​ offspring of Spanish-Chinese parents.
●​ The canal, with saving distance, reduces the ●​ The Chinese mestizo rose to prominence between
operational and fixed costs of companies and 1741 and 1898, primarily as a landholder and a
decreases the number of days that products are middleman wholesaler of local produce and
transported foreign imports.
Base:
Results: Indios are native of the country
(a) Philippines became closer to Europe and
Spain Indio Natural
(b) encouraged European travelers to come to ●​ refers to the natives of the island, originated from
our country the Malay race and are considered as today’s
(c) exodus of literal ideas from Europe to the Filipino.
Philippines
(d) more educated and young Filipinos were Plain Indios
able to study abroad ●​ those natives who had converted to Roman
Catholicism and settled in a town under Spanish
SOCIAL STRUCTURE DURING THE 19th CENTURY jurisdiction (reduccion system) or town under the
●​ Philippine society was predominantly bajo las campanas (under the sound of the bell).
feudalistic the results of the Spanish landholding ●​ The highest position available to plain Indios is
system imposed upon the country with the arrival Gobernadorcillo.
of the conquistadores.
●​ An elite class exploited the masses, fostered by Infieles
the “master-slave” relationship between the ●​ refers to the pagans who resisted the
Spaniards and the Filipinos. indoctrination and lived outside the Spanish
●​ The Spaniards exacted all forms of taxes and control maintaining their culture, religion, and
tributes and drafted the natives for manual labor. lifeways.
●​ Consequently, the poor became poorer and the ●​ Spanish authorities called them into different
rich wealthier. names like salvajes, remontados, ladrones,
tulisanes, and barbaros.
Apex:
Spanish Peninsulares Indio Sangleyes
●​ The Peninsulares exclusively controlled top-level ●​ the pure-blooded Chinese or Japanese who
administrative, civil and ecclesiastical positions in arrived in the Philippines to trade and escaped the
the colony, and they were close to the Insulares on hegemony of dynasties and shoguns.
Spanish Peninsulares. ●​ It is the lowest within the social structure.
 Personal interest over the welfare of the State
●​ They were corrupt during the 19th century and the
Alcaldias/Alcalde is considered as the most
corrupt over the other corrupts.
●​ The Alcaldias/Alcalde includes the administrators,
judges and military commandants.
●​ They usually have P25/mo liberal allowances and
privileges to take a certain percentage of money
from the total amount of taxes.
●​ There were also monopoly trades or business
practices known as indulto para comerciar.

THE BIGOTRY OF SPANISH INSTITUTIONS

“Mestizos serve as the intermediary figure between a native THE TRIBUTE OR TRIBUTO

past and a postcolonial future.” ●​ In theory, the tribute or tax was collected from the
natives to defray colonization costs and to

POLITICAL SYSTEM IN 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES recognize their loyalty to the King of Spain.

●​ The Spaniards ruled the Filipinos in the 19th ●​ From the point of view of the Catholic Church,

century. tribute could be extracted from the natives only if

●​ The Filipinos became the Spaniard’s slave. used primarily for the work of Christianization like

●​ The Spaniards claimed their taxes and they the building of churches in the colony, support for

worked under the power of the Spaniards. missionaries, and so on.

●​ But from the point of view of the natives, the

Sources of Abuses in the Administrative System: payment of the tribute was, however, seen as a

●​ There was an appointment of officials with inferior symbol of acceptance of their loyalty to Spain.

qualifications, without dedication of duty and moral

strength to resist corruption for material THE ENCOMIENDA

advancement. ●​ In the strict sense, it is not a land grant but a grant

●​ Through the power and authority, the Spaniards to exercise control over a specific place, including

possess, they collected and wasted the money of its inhabitants.

the Filipinos. ●​ It includes the right for the encomiendero (owner

●​ There were too complicated functions to the of encomienda) to impose tribute or taxes

unions of the church and the state. according to the limit and kind set by higher
authorities (Agoncillo,1990).

Manner of obtaining the position ●​ In exchange for this right, the encomiendero is

●​ Through the power that the Spaniards possess, duty-bound by law to:

they had the right to appoint the different positions. ○​ Defend his encomienda from external

●​ The appointment of positions is obtained by the incursions.

highest bidder which is the Governorgeneral of the ○​ To keep peace and order.

country ○​ To assist the missionaries in

evangelizing the natives within his

Term of office territory.

●​ Term of office or term in office is the length of time

a person (usually a politician) serves in a particular THE POLO OR FORCED LABOR

office is dependent on the desire of the King of the ●​ The word “polo” is a corruption of the Tagalog

country. pulong, originally meaning “meeting of persons

and things” or “community labor. ”

Distance of the colony ●​ Drafted laborers were Filipino or Chinese male

●​ The Spanish officials traveled to various places mestizos who were obligated to give personal

and the needs of the Philippines were ignored. service to community projects, like construction

●​ They did not put too much attention to the needs and repair of infrastructure, church construction, or

of the other people. cutting logs in forests, for forty (40) days.

●​ There were inadequate administrative ●​ All able-bodied males, from 16 to 60 years of old,

supervisions, they were unable to face and solve except chieftains and their elder sons, were

the problems regarding to the Philippines. required to render labor for these various projects

●​ There were also overlapping of powers and in the colony.

privileges of officials which made them ○​ It was instituted in 1580 and reduced to

competitive. 15 days per year in 1884 (Constantino,

1975).
THE BOURBON REFORMS Brother:
●​ The Bourbon Reforms were a program of imperial ●​ Paciano was a full ten years older than Rizal.
reorganization and reform by the Spanish Bourbon ●​ Like his father, he pursued a college education in
dynasty, which sought to strengthen royal control Manila.
over the empire, increase the colonies' profitability
to the monarchy, and improve imperial defense. Don Francisco Rizal Mercado
●​ One of the main ideas behind the Bourdon reforms (Francisco Mercado Rizal y Alejandro)
was that the monarchy and the state were more 1818-1898
important than the Catholic Church. ●​ Rizal’s father was born on May 11, 1818 and was
●​ This led to an attempt to get rid of ecclesiastical the youngest of his 13 siblings.
privilege, which led to the Society of Jesus being ●​ Mercado was a well-respected man in their home
banned in 1767. town of Calamba in which citizens made him the
●​ The Bourbon Reforms were not very effective in their "cabeza de barangay" (head of town.)
the long run and ended up ostracizing many of the ●​ He was of part Chinese descent, having been
Creole elites. related to a Chinese entrepreneur
●​ While the political reforms simplified the empire, it by the name of Domingo Lamco.
was a little too late as the writing was already on ●​ Mercado died shortly after Rizal in the home of his
the wall for the collapse of the Spanish Empire. daughter, Narcisa Rizal in
Binondo, Manila on January 5, 1898.
Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education ●​ An honest, dynamic, and thrifty man.
Rizal’s Ancestry ●​ Rizal described him as a “model of fathers.”
●​ Like most Filipinos, Rizal was of mixed racial ●​ He dedicated his life to agriculture in Biñan,
origin. The Rizal family was known to be a well-off Laguna, and later, he became a
family in Calamba, Laguna and they were tenant of the Dominican estate in Calamba. He
considered as one of the biggest families in those received a college degree from Colegio de San
times. Jose in Manila.
●​ They lived a life of comfort and prosperity, then
considered that his family belonged to the Doña Teodora Alonso
principalia class or the ruling elite of their town. (Teodora Alonzo Realonda Quintos)
●​ Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family, 1827-1913
consisted of his father Don Francisco Mercado II ●​ On November 9, 1827, Teodora Morales Alonzo
and his mother Teodora Alonso Realonda. Realonda de Rizal y Quintos, the mother of
●​ Jose Rizal had nine sisters and one brother. Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, was born in
Saturnina Rizal was the eldest child among the Meisik, Tondo, Manila.
siblings, followed by Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, ●​ She was known for being a disciplinarian as well
Lucia, Maria, Jose, Concepcion, Josefa and the as a dedicated, courteous and hard-working
youngest was Soledad. mother. (Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda de
Rizal y Quintos)
All About Rizal ●​ As the young Rizal's first teacher, she had a
Full Name: profound influence on his development and was
●​ Jose Protačio Mercado Rizal y Realonda his inspiration in taking up medicine.
Birthday: ●​ Teodora was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso
●​ June 19, 1861 and Brijida de Quintos.
Birthplace: ●​ In accordance to the decree issued by
●​ Calamba, Laguna Governor-General Narciso Claveria in 1849, their
Father: family adopted the surname "Realonda de Rizal".
●​ Don Francisco Mercado Rizal y Alejandro ●​ Coming from an able family, Teodora had her
Mother: formal education at the Colegio de Santa Rosa in
●​ Teodora Alonzo Realonda y Quintos Manila.
Sisters: ●​ Just like her mother,she was well-educated and
●​ Saturnina highly cultured.
●​ Narcisa
●​ Olimpia Saturnina Rizal
●​ Lucia 1850-1913
●​ Maria ●​ On June 4, 1850, Saturnina "Neneng" Rizal
●​ Concepcion Mercado de Hidalgo (nee Rizal Mercado y Alonso
●​ Josefa Realonda), the eldest sister of national hero and
●​ Trinidad patriot Dr. Jose Rizal, was born in Calamba,
●​ Soledad Laguna.
●​ Neneng married Manuel T. Hidalgo, a well-to-do
native of Tanauan, Batangas, on November 3,
1881 in Calamba, Laguna.
 ●​ Being the eldest sister of Jose, Neneng was truly a ●​ She entered the world into a family that would
big sister. become one of the most influential in Philippine
●​ She diligently reported daily events and history, though at the time, they were simply a
happenings in Calamba and told stories in vivid prosperous family in Calamba, Laguna.
detail about the Rizal family when Jose was ●​ Narcisa's character was shaped by the values
overseas. instilled in the Rizal household - education,
●​ During Rizal's hardships abroad, Saturnina sent devotion to family, and service to others.
him a diamond ring ●​ Like her sisters, she was well-educated and
to help him with his finances. possessed musical talents, becoming both a
teacher and musician.
Paciano Rizal ●​ Her marriage to Antonio Lopez, also a teacher and
1851-1930 musician from Morong, in 1875 created a union
●​ Born on March 9, 1851 in Calamba, Laguna, bound not only by love but by shared educational
Paciano grew up witnessing the grave abuses and cultural values.
committed by Spanish friars against Filipinos. ●​ What truly distinguished Narcisa in the family was
●​ Eventually, he became a member of La Juventud her exceptional devotion to her younger brother
Liberal, the youth wing of the Comite de José.
Reformadores, the group that was working for ●​ This devotion manifested in numerous ways, both
secularization at a time when Spain had a new profound and practical.
and more liberal Constitution. ●​ She could recite from memory almost all of José's
●​ The group wanted such liberalization to also reach poems, a testament to her deep appreciation of his
the Philippines. literary genius.
●​ Paciano was the mentor of his younger brother ●​ Like her elder sister Saturnina, she helped finance
Jose. José's studies in Europe, even going so far as to
●​ In modern activist parlance, he was Jose's political pawn her jewelry and peddle her clothes when
officer (PO). funds were needed.
●​ So much so that when Jose left for Europe, ●​ But Narcisa's support went beyond financial
patriotism was already deeply ingrained in him. assistance.
●​ Paciano was Jose's primary but quiet financier, ●​ She served as a confidante to both José and their
supporter, and co-conspirator in the latter's journey brother Paciano, becoming a bridge between the
to greatness. family's political activists and their more cautious
●​ He joined and actively supported the propaganda members.
movement. ●​ When José was imprisoned in Fort Santiago, it
●​ He supported the movement's newspaper, was Narcisa who diligently visited him, taking on
Diariong Tagalog by soliciting and collecting funds the role of what family descendants described as
for it. "a second mother".
●​ When the Katipunan was organized, Paciano ●​ Her presence provided comfort and connection to
became a Katipunero. home during his darkest hours.
●​ In November 1896, he was arrested by the
Guardia Civil together with Manuel Hidalgo, his Olimpia Rizal
brother-in-law for being directors of the Katipunan 1855-1887
and for involvement in revolutionary activities. ●​ Olympia was born in December 1854 in Calamba,
●​ On December 29, 1896, as the Cavite groups Laguna, Philippines.
Magdiwang and Magdalo were having their first ●​ She was the fourth child of Francisco Engracio
meeting for unification, Paciano arrived with Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, one
Josephine Bracken. of the siblings of the Philippine national hero, Dr.
●​ They informed the group that his brother Jose was Jose Rizal.
sentenced by the Spanish authorities, and was to ●​ Olimpia shared a close bond with her brother
be executed the following morning at Jose.
Bagumbayan. ●​ He often teased her affectionately, sometimes
●​ By then, General Emilio Aguinaldo and Supremo referring to her as his "stout sister".
Andres Bonifacio already knew this and have ●​ Despite the teasing, their relationship was filled
already made a plan to rescue the younger Rizal. with warmth and mutual respect.
●​ However, Paciano said that Jose disapproved of ●​ Olimpia frequently corresponded with Jose,
such because it was doomed to failstressing that keeping him updated about family matters and
there was no longer any Katipunan left in Manila. seeking his advice on various issues.

Narcisa Rizal Lucia Rizal

1852-1939 1857-1919
●​ Born on October 29, 1852, Narcisa was the third ●​ Lucia played a meaningful role within the Rizal
child of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso family, whose legacy is closely tied to the
Realonda. Philippines' fight for reform and independence.
 ●​ Born in Calamba, Laguna, in 1857, she was raised Josefa Rizal
in a distinguished, affluent, and educated 1865-1945
household of Chinese, Spanish, Malay, and ●​ Doña Josefa Rizal was born on 11 March 1866, in
Negrito heritage. Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, her father,
●​ Growing up in Calamba, Lucía was surrounded by Francisco Engracio Mercado Alejandro Rizal and
the scenic beauty of Laguna and a supportive her mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda.
community, which shaped the family's values of ●​ After Jose’s martyrdom, the epileptic Josefa joined
education, patriotism, and resilience. the Katipunan and is
●​ As the fifth child, Lucía was affectionately known even supposed to have been elected the president
within the family, though specific details about her of its women section.
childhood are less documented compared to her ●​ She was one of the original 29 women admitted to
brother José's. the Katipunan along with Gregoria de Jesus, wife
●​ The Rizal household was a hub of intellectual and of Andres Bonifacio.
cultural activity, with Teodora teaching her ●​ They safeguarded the secret papers and
children, including Lucía, the value of education documents of the society and danced and sang
early on. during sessions so that civil guards would think
that the meetings were just harmless social
Maria Rizal gatherings.
1859-1945
●​ Maria was a significant figure in the life of her Trinidad Rizal
brother, Dr. José Rizal. 1868-1951
●​ Born into a prominent and prosperous family in ●​ On June 6, 1868, Trinidad Rizal Mercado y Alonso
Calamba, Laguna, Maria lived a life intertwined Realonda, commonly known as Trinidad Rizal,
with the struggles and aspirations of her family was born in Calamba, Laguna.
during the Spanish colonial period. ●​ She was the tenth child of Francisco Rizal
●​ Maria shared a close bond with her brother José, Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda.
who was two years her junior. ●​ Trinidad helped found the first Masonic lodge for
●​ Their correspondence, spanning years and women in the Philippines.
continents, reveals a relationship built on trust and ●​ She was also a member of Walana, a Filipino
mutual respect. masonry society, formed in Manila on July 18,
●​ José confided in Maria about significant personal 1893, closely allied with the masonic temples of
and political matters, including his desire to marry the ilustrados.
Josephine Bracken, an Irish woman he met in ●​ In 1905, Trinidad co-founded the first Filipina
Dapitan. feminist organization, the Asociacion Feminista
●​ The Rizal family, particularly their mother, was Filipina (AFF), along with Concepcion Felix,
initially opposed to the union due to concerns Librada
about Josephine's background and the political Avelino, Maria Paz Guanzon, and Luisa de Silyar,
risks it posed during José's exile. among others.
●​ Maria, however, served as a sounding board for ●​ In addition to encouraging women to participate in
José's plans, demonstrating her role as a politics and public service,
supportive sister. the organization promoted women's health.
●​ Trinidad participated in a subproject of AFF, Gota
Concepcion Rizal de Leche (also called La Proteccion de la
1862-1865 Infancia), which focused on improving reproductive
●​ Also called ‘Concha’ by her siblings, Concepcion and maternal, infant, and child health.
Rizal (1862-1865) was the eight child of the Rizal
family. Soledad Rizal
●​ She died at the age of three. 1870-1929
●​ Of his sisters, it is said that Pepe loved most the ●​ Soledad Rizal, also known as "Choleng", was born
little Concha who was a year younger than him. in 1870 in Calamba, Laguna.
●​ Jose played games and shared children stories ●​ She was the youngest child of Francisco Engracio
with her, and from her he felt the beauty of sisterly Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda.
love. ●​ Soledad was arguably the best educated among
●​ When Concha died of sickness in 1865, Jose Rizal's sisters.
mournfully wept at losing her. ●​ She pursued a career in teaching, a profession
●​ He later wrote in his memoir, that her brother Jose Rizal greatly admired.
●​ “When I was four years old, I lost my little sister ●​ In a letter dated June 6, 1890, Jose expressed his
Concha, and then for the first pride in Soledad for becoming a teacher and
time I shed tears caused by love and grief. advised her to be a model of virtues and good
qualities.
●​ Soledad's life was not without controversy.
 ●​ She married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba on Early Education
June 23, 1890, without the consent of their ●​ Rizal had his early education in Calamba and
parents. Biñan. It was a typical schooling that a son of an
●​ This decision disturbed the peace of the Rizal ilustrado family received during his time – one that
family, as Jose Rizal pointed out in his letter to her. is characterized by the four R’s – reading, writing,
●​ Despite this, Soledad and Pantaleon had a family arithmetic, and religion. Instructions were rigid and
of their own, raising at least four sons and two strict, and knowledge was forced into the pupils’
daughters. minds by the tedious memory method aided by the
teacher’s whip.
Rizal’s Childhood
●​ José Rizal's earliest training recalls the education ●​ Despite the defects of the Spanish system of
of William and Alexander von elementary education, Rizal was able to acquire
Humboldt, those two nineteenth century Germans the necessary instructions preparatory for college
whose achievements for the work in Manila.
prosperity of their fatherland and the advancement ●​ It may say that Rizal, born a physical weakling,
of humanity have caused them to be spoken of as rose to become an intellectual giant not because
the most remarkable pair of brothers ever lived. of, but rather despite, the outmoded and backward
system of instruction obtained in the Philippines
●​ He was not physically a strong child, but the during the last decades of the Spanish regime.
direction of his first studies was by
an unusually gifted mother, who succeeded, ●​ Jose Rizal’s first teacher was his mother, who
almost without the aid of books, in laying a taught him how to read and
foundation upon which the man placed an amount pray and who had encouraged him to write poetry.
of well-mastered knowledge along many different
lines that is truly marvelous, and this was done in ●​ Later, private tutors taught the young Rizal
so short a time that its brevity constitutes another Spanish and Latin before he was sent to a private
wonder. school in Biñan.

●​ At three he learned his letters, having insisted ●​ At the age of nine, his parents sent him to study
upon being taught to read and Biñan in the school of Don Justiniano Aquino Cruz,
being allowed to share the lessons of an elder who, after a few months, reported to his parents
sister. Immediately thereafter he was discovered that he had nothing more to learn in school.
with her story book, spelling out its words by the ●​ Jose excelled in academics and in physical
aid of the syllabary or "caton" which he had activities.
propped up before him and was using as one does
a dictionary in a foreign language. ●​ As Jose grew older, his parents employed private
tutors to give him lessons at home.
●​ When he was four the mystery of life's ending had ●​ The first was Maestro Celestino and the second,
been brought home to him by the death of a Maestro Lucas Padua. Later, an older man named
favorite little sister, and he shed the first tears of Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal’sfather,
real sorrow, for until then he had only wept as became the boy’stutor.
children do when disappointed in getting their own ●​ In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys.
way.
●​ It was the first of many griefs, but he quickly ●​ He surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
realized that life is a constant struggle and he subjects.
learned to meet disappointments and sorrows with ●​ Some of his older classmates were jealous of his
the tears in the heart and a smile on the lips, as he intellectual superiority. They wickedly squealed to
once advised a nephew to do. the teacher whenever Jose fought the school and
even told lies to discredit him before the teacher’s
●​ At seven José made his first real journey; the eyes.
family went to Antipolo with the host of pilgrims ●​ Consequently, the teacher had to punish Jose.
who in May visit the mountain shrine of Our Lady
of Peace and Safe Travel. Higher Education
●​ In the early Spanish days in Mexico she was the Education at Ateneo Municipal de Manila
special patroness of voyages to America, ●​ Although the Jesuits’ ability to administer parishes
especially while the galleon trade lasted; the was limited outside of the more distant districts of
statue was brought to Antipolo in 1672. Mindanao, they were granted the privilege of
creating colleges and therefore had to apply to the
●​ At the age of eight he wrote his first poem in native City of Manila for subsidies when they were
language entitled “Sa Aking mga Kababata” (To allowed to return to the Philippines.
My Fellow Children). ●​ Thus, the college opened its doors to students in
1865 and took on the name Ateneo Municipal.
●​ Jesuit education was ahead of its time compared ●​ After completing his sentence, he returned home
to other academic models of with a medal and paid another solo visit to his
the time. mother in prison, and it would be another three
●​ Discipline was strict, and its tactics were less months before she would be free.
mechanical.
●​ It also included the development of artistic skills ●​ In his third year of school, he began to do well
like drawing, painting, and music in its curriculum. enough academically to earn prizes in the
●​ As a religious institute, its primary goal was to quarterly exams, thanks largely to the uplifted
shape the boys’ personalities and wills to better mood brought on by her release.
align with the church’s teachings; nonetheless, it ●​ Fr. Francisco Sanchez was his professor in the
also established vocational courses in agriculture, final year of his program.
commerce, and mechanics. ●​ He studied mathematics, rhetoric, and Greek, and
●​ Classes were opened and closed with he must have made significant progress since, at
prayers, and students attended mass before each the end of the year, he-obtained five medals,
session. which thrilled him enormously because with them,
I could return my father partly for his sacrifices.
●​ Jose was allowed to study in Manila at the
prodding of his brother, Paciano. ●​ A natural talent for poetry quickly emerged in him,
●​ By this time, he was already using the second and he never stopped honing it.
family name, Rizal, in order to avoid complications ●​ An event occurred at thistime that
in his studies, which the Mercado family name exemplifiesJose’sstrong sense of autonomy.
used by his brother Paciano could bring on him.
●​ His brother Paciano had earned the ire of the ●​ On March 14, 1877, Jose obtained his Bachelor of
Spanish friars because of his relationship with Arts degree at Ateneo Municipal with high honors
Father Jose Burgos. for excelling in academics.
●​ It was during his student days in Ateneo that his
●​ Jose passed the entrance examinations at Colegio extreme giftedness in poetry, writing, painting and
de San Juan de Letran owned by the Dominicans sculpture became known.
but he chose to study at Ateneo Municipal after ●​ One of the masterpieces he did at Ateneo was a
learning that Dominican friars in Calamba were sculpture of the statue of the sacred heart of Jesus
pursuing a court case against his mother. and some of his literary works have won prizes
●​ In 1872, he was admitted at the Ateneo through like: Felicitacion, Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre
the help of Dr. Manuel Xeres Burgos, a nephew of la Patria, Un Recuerdo a mi pueblo, and El
Fr. Jose Burgos, and a close friend of Paciano. heroismo de colon.
●​ Burgos was able to convince Father Magin
Fernando to admit Rizal at Ateneo. Education at Unibersidad de Santo Tomas
●​ Fortunately, Rizal’s terrible first passion and bitter
●​ Fr. Jose Bech was Jose’s first teacher, and he disillusionment had no negative impact on his
remembers him as a “tall, slim guy with a forward academic performance at the University of Santo
bend and a rapid pace; ascetic physiognomy, Tomas.
severe and inspired; small,sunken eyes; a sharp ●​ His passion for higher study proved stronger than
Grecian nose; thin lips forming an arch with its his affection for a beautiful woman.
sides oriented toward his chin.”
●​ In April of 1877, at nearly sixteen years old, Rizal
●​ From the very beginning, Jose was able to enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas to study
systematize his job; he established a Philosophy and Letters.
schedule for himself, detailing exactly how he ●​ These factors influenced his decision to take this
would spend each of the day’s twenty-four hours. class:
●​ In this way, he learned to control his impulses and ○​ For one, it was approved by his dad,
submit his will to his intellect. and
○​ two, he was “Uncertain as to what job to
●​ Jose, a new student, started at the very bottom of follow.”
the class, but he quickly rose ●​ He decided to reach out to Father Pablo Ramon,
●​ through the ranks, eventually becoming Emperor the Rector of Ateneo, who had helped him a lot
by the end of the month. during his time as a student there, for guidance on
●​ He finished with an overall outstanding grade point his future professional endeavors.
average and perfect scores on all tests and ●​ Unfortunately, Father Rector was in Mindanao,
assignments. and back then, it took a letter many months to get
from Manila to Mindanao.
●​ In Jose’s second year, he had the same professor ●​ So, he took classes in Philosophy, Cosmology,
as in his first, but he lived at No. 6 Calle Metaphysics, and Theodicy during his first year
Magallanes in the city’s heart. (1877–1879) at UST.
 ●​ During the following academic year (1878-179), Leonor Valenzuela
Rizal decided to pursue a career in medicine, ●​ Leonor "Orang" Valenzuela, Rizal's second object
enrolling in both the pre-medical course and the of affection, is literally the girl-next-door.
normal first-year medical program. ●​ They met when Rizal was a sophomore medical
●​ Two factors influenced his decision to become a student at the University of Santo Tomas, during
doctor: which time he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva's
○​ (1) he wished to help his mother’s boarding house in Intramuros, Manila.
declining eyesight, and (2) Father Pablo ●​ Orang, who was then 14 years old, was his
Ramon, the Rector of Ateneo, whom he neighbor.
had written to for advice on a career ●​ During the courtship, Rizal was said to have sent
path, recommended medicine. Leonor private and secret love letters, which he
wrote using invisible ink made with water and salt -
●​ Alongside with his academic studies at UST, Rizal he was adept in chemistry, too.
actively participated in literary activities. ●​ To read the letters, Orang had to heat the letter
●​ He won first prize for his poem "A La Juventud over a candle or a lamp.
Filipina" (To the Filipino Youth) in the literary ●​ Rizal also frequented the Valenzuelas' home,
contest sponsored by the Liceo Literario Artistico. which was a hang out place of the students in the
●​ Because he was a native, he experienced area.
discrimination like when his entry "The Council of
the Gods" which many spectators adjudged winner Leonor Rivera
was awarded second to a work of a Spaniard. ●​ Leanor Rivera and Jose Rizal lived the tragedies
of Shakespeare's poems. They met when Rizal
All the Women Rizal Loved Before was 18 and Leonor was 13, at the boarding house
A Look Inside the Heart of Rizal of Rizal's uncle in Intramuros, Manila.
●​ The things that the Filipino hero Jose Rizal did and ●​ Leonor was Rizal's second cousin.
won in his 35-year life could only have been done ●​ It was a perfect love story in the beginning: he, the
with true passion. intelligent charmer, and she, the beautiful student
●​ He would do anything to show how much he loved who had a beautiful singing voice and was a
not only his country but also his women. talented piano player.
●​ His trips around the Philippines and the rest of the ●​ Soon, they fell in love.
world led to many different relationships that ●​ But as tragic love stories go, they were besieged
shaped almost half his life. by obstacles.
●​ On record, there are nine women. ●​ Leonor's parents highly disapproved of their
●​ It doesn’t mean that all those relationships were relationship as they were wary of Rizal being a
serious, but at least he pursued when he wanted "filibuster."
to, cared, and showed his care and charm without ●​ In his letters, Rizal called Leonor "Taimis" to hide
apologizing. her identity.

Segunda Katigbak Consuelo Ortega Y Rey

●​ First love never dies they say - unless your first ●​ Consuelo Ortega Y Rey was the daughter of Don
love is already engaged to be married when you Pablo Ortiga Y Rey, who was Mayor of Manila
meet. when Carlos Maria dela Torre was the governor.
●​ Then you have to let it go really fast. Such was the ●​ While Rizal was in Madrid, he would hang out at
case of Jose Rizal and Segunda Katigbak, a Don Pablo's house, which became a place where
Batangueña, whom Rizal met when he was only a Filipino students would often get together.
16-year-old boy. ●​ Through one of these gatherings, Rizal met
●​ They met when the young hero visited his Consuelo.
grandmother with his friend, Mariano Katigbak, ●​ He showed affection towards Consuelo but was
Segunda's brother. not serious in his pursuit as he was still engaged
●​ The Katigbaks were close to Rizal's grandmother, to Leonor Rivera at the time.
and coincidentally, Segunda was at the grandma's ●​ Yes, he loved the company of women, but during
house when Rizal and Mariano arrived. that brief period, he too was lonely and yearning
●​ It was attraction at first sight. Segunda was also a for the physical void left by Leonor.
close friend of Rizal's sister, Olympia (Olimpia), ●​ Although most accounts say the dalliance didn't
whom he visited every week at the La Concordia turn serious, Rizal wrote a poem for her, entitled,
College. "A La Señorita C.O.y.P. "
●​ The two became very close. ●​ In the end, Consuelo got engaged to Rizal's friend,
●​ However, Segunda was already engaged to be Eduardo de Lete.
married to a man who lived in her town, and Rizal ●​ It is said that Eduardo's love for Consuelo was
had to stop pursuing her. also the reason Rizal didn't pursue the mestiza.
Seiko Usui ●​ In addition, Rizal’s silence on the subject of
●​ It was in 1888. Rizal had just arrived in Japan from Suzanne in his letters to friends suggests that the
Hongkong upon an invitation to take a job offer at relationship was brief.
the Spanish Legation. ●​ In August that year, Rizal fled the country, and the
●​ One day, while he was in the office grounds, he loss devastated Suzanne.
saw O-Sei-San walk past the legation's gate and ●​ Meanwhile, Rizal continued working on El
was immediately enthralled by her beauty. Filibusterismo, contributing to La Solidaridad and
●​ With the help of a Japanese gardener, he asked to worried about his loved ones at home.
be introduced to the woman who captured his ●​ Suzanne’s purported letter was written to Rizal.
eyes - and the gardener acquiesced. ●​ The great Rizal may have answered once.
●​ Rizal spoke little Japanese at the time, so the ●​ However, in 1891, Rizal returned to Belgium not to
gardener had to serve as a translator. be with Suzanne but to complete El Filibusterismo.
●​ However, a few minutes into the conversation,
they both found O-Sei-San spoke English and Nellie Boustead
French, which was a relief as Rizal spoke both ●​ Rizal and Nellie met in Biarritz, where Nellie's
languages. wealthy family hosted Rizal's stay at their
●​ When the language barrier broke, they started to residence on the French Riviera.
build a relationship. ●​ Before Biarritz, Rizal already made friends with the
●​ As days went by, O-Sei-San taught Rizal the ways Boustead family a few years back, and even
of the Japanese. played fencing with Nellie and her sister.
●​ They went gallivanting, visiting museums, ●​ During his stay at the beautiful Biarritz vacation
galleries, and universities. home, Rizal learned of Leonor Rivera's
●​ They talked about the arts and culture, switching engagement and thought of pursuing a romantic
their language from French to English and back as relationship with Nellie, who was classy, educated,
they pleased. cheerful, and athletic.
●​ Their love was childlike and spirited. ●​ After strengthening their relationship, Rizal wrote
●​ According to many accounts, Rizal was ready to letters to his friends, telling them about his
move to Japan, stay with O-Sei-San, and live a intention to marry her.
peaceful life with his love. ●​ They were all supportive, including Antonio Luna.
●​ Although they seemed like the ideal couple,
Gertrude Beckett marriage for Rizal was still not meant to be.
●​ In the same year he began and ended his relations ●​ First, Nellie's mother did not think Rizal had the
with OSei-San, our JR, then 27, went to London resources to be a good provider for her daughter.
and met a woman named Gertrude Beckett, the ●​ Second, Nellie wanted Rizal to convert to
eldest daughter of his landlord. Protestantism.
●​ Gertrude showered Rizal with all the love and ●​ Rizal refused. But their friendship must have been
attention of a girl who is hopelessly in love. strong enough because they ended up being
●​ She even assisted Rizal as he finished some of his friends after all the drama.
popular sculptures, "Prometheus Bound, " "The
Triumph of Death over Life, " and "The Triumph of Josephine Bracke
Science over Death. " ●​ Josephine Bracken was the woman who stayed
●​ He called her Gettie, she called him Pettie. with Rizal until his execution in 1896.
●​ But all documents lead to say one thing: the ●​ She was also, allegedly, the woman whom Rizal
feelings weren't mutually shared. married.
●​ In 1889, Rizal left London, and left Gettie a ●​ However, accounts of their marriage have been
composite carving of the heads of the Beckett much-debated over the years.
sisters. ●​ Josephine was the adopted daughter of one
●​ Marcelo del Pilar, Rizal's friend, said Rizal left George Taufer, whom she lived with in Hongkong
London to move away from Gertrude, whose idea for years before she needed to seek help from an
of their relationship was more than what it really ophthalmologist due to George's blindness.
was - the most tormenting kind: an unrequited ●​ They then sought the help of Jose Rizal, who was
love. already exiled in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte at
the time.
Suzanne Jacoby ●​ Rizal and Josephine fell in love and in a month
●​ With all the loneliness and anxiety from the turmoil made the announcement that they wanted to get
of his country and family, he was even able to fill married.
his resting moments learning new things - like ●​ But just like the other Rizal great loves, this one
flirting with women. was once again complicated.
●​ When he arrived in Belgium in 1890, he lived at a ●​ No priest would marry the two, for reasons that are
boarding house that was run by two sisters whose still unclear - but perhaps it was because of Rizal's
last name was Jacoby. status in politics.
●​ The sisters had a niece named Suzanne.
●​ Without a legal paper, Rizal and Josephine lived
together, and had a son, who died a few hours
after birth.
●​ Rizal named his son after his father, Francisco.
●​ Up to this day, there is no legal proof that
Josephine and Rizal ever got married.

●​ Maybe heroes can only be alone with their

thoughts.
●​ Left alone, they will naturally think too much, and
thinking for an entire country, we assume, can be
exhausting.
●​ Maybe Rizal just always needed a companion.
●​ But if there's one thing his dalliances and longings
and pursuits remind us, it is that heroes are
humans, too.
●​ Humans have needs.
●​ And he did die for our country.
●​ Quam bene vivas refert non quam diu.
(It matters how well you live, not how long.)