JOSE RIZAL: LIFE WORKS AND WRITINGS OF A GENIUS, WRITER, SCIENTIST

AND NATIONAL HERO

CHAPTER 1
ADVENTURE OF A NATIONAL HERO
Dr. Jose Rizal is a unique example of a many-splendored genius who became
the greatest hero of a nation. Endowed by GOD with versatile gift, he truly
ranked with the worlds geniuses.
He was a:
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PHYSICIAN (ophthalmic
surgeon), POET, DRAMATIST,
ESSAYALEST,
NOVELIST, HISTORIAN,
ARCHITEC, PAINTER, SCULPTOR,
EDUCATOR, LINGUIST, MUSICIAN, NATURALIST, ETHNOLOGIST, SURVEYOR,
ENGINNER,
FARMER
BUSINESSMAN,
ECONOMIST,
GEOGRAPHER,
CARTOGRAPHER, BIBLIOPHILE, PHILOGIST, GRAMMARIAN, FOLKLORIST,
PHILOSOPHER, TRANSLATOR, INVENTOR, MAGICIAN, HUMORIST, SATIRIST,
POLEMICIST, SPORTMAN, TRAVELLER AND A PROPET. Above and beyond
all this he was a hero and political martyr who consecrated his life for the
redemption of his approved people. No wonder, he is now acclaimed as
national hero of the Philippines.

The Birth of a Hero

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Jose Rizal was born on the moonlight night of Wednesday, June 19, 1861,
in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna Province, Philippines. His
Mother is almost died during the delivery of his big head.
He was baptized in the in the Catholic Church of his town on June 22,
aged three days old ( Fr. RUFINO COLLANTES- who was batangueno)
His Godfather (ninong) was Fr. PEDRO CASANAS, a native from Calamba
and close friend of the RIZAL Family.
His name Jose was chosen by his Mother who was devotee of the
Christian San Jose.

RIZALs Parents
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The heros Father Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898)was born in Binan,

Laguna Laguna, on May 11,1818.He studied Latin and Philosophy at the
College of San Jose Manila. He died in Manila on January 5, 1898, at the
age of 80.
The heros Mother Teodora Alonzo Realonda (1826-1911) was in Manila on
November -8, 1826 and was educated at the Collage of Santa Rosa, a well
known college for the girls of the city. She was a remarkable woman,
possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the
fortitude of Spartan Women. She died in Manila on August 16,1911, at the
age of 85.Shortly before her death , the Phil. Govt offered a life pension.
She coursteously rejected it saying My family has never been patriotic

for money. If the government has plenty of funds and does not know what
to do with them, better reduce the taxes.Such remarks truly befitted her
as worthy Mother of national hero.

The Rizal Children

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God blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo
Realonda with eleven children-two boys and nine girls.These children
where as fallow:

1. SATURNINA (1850-1913)-Oldest of the Rizal Children. Nicknamed

neneng; she married Manuel T. Higaldo of tanawan, Batangas.
2. PACIANO (1851-1930)-Oldest brother and confidant of Jose Rizal; after
his younger brothers execution, he joined the Philippine revolution
and become a combat general; after the revolution, he retired to his
farm in los banos, where he lived as gentlemen farmer and died on
April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79.he had two children by his
mistress (Severina Decena)- a boy and girl.
3. NARCISA (1852-1930)-Her pet name was Sisa and she married
Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leonicio Lopez), a school teacher of
Morong.
4. OLIMPIA (1855-1887)-Ypia her pet name; she married silverstre ubaldo,
a telegraph operator from Manila.
5. LUCIA (1855-1919)-She married Mariano Herbosa of calamba, who was
a nepew of Fr. Casanas Herbosa died at in cholera in 1889and was
denied chiristian burial because he was brother in law of Dr. Jose Rizal.
6. Maria (1859-1919)-Biang was her nickname; She married Danniel
Faustino Cruz of Binan,Laguna.
7. Jose(1861-1896)-The greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius; his
was nickname was Pepe; during his exile in Dapitan he live with
Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong kong; he had a son by her , but
he has a baby boy died in few hours after birth; Rizal name in
Francisco after his father buried him in dapitan.
8. CONCEPCION (1862-1865)-Her pet name was Concha; she died for
sickness at the age of 3; her death was first sorrow in life.
9. JOSEFA (1865-1945)-Her pet name was Pangoy; she died an old maid
at the age of 80.
10.TRINIDAD (1868-1951)-Trining was her pet name; she died also an old
maid in 1951 age 83.
11.SOLEDAD (1870-1929)-Youngest of the Rizal children; her et name was
choleng; she married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.
Rizals Ancestry
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As a typical Filipino was the product of the mixture of races.

In his veins flowed the blood of both East and West- Negrito, Indonesian,
Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
He was a Malayan and was magnificient specimen of Asian manhood.
Rizals great-great father on his fathers side was Domingo Lameo, a
Chinese immigrant from the Fukien city of Changchow, who arrived in
Manila named Ines De La Rosa, and assume in 1731 the surname Mercado
which was appropriate for him because he was a merchant.
The Spanish term Mercado means market in English.
Domingo Mercado and Ines de La Rosa had a son, Francisco Mercado and
Ines Dela Rosa had a son, Francisco Mercado, who reside in Binan,
married a Chinese Filipino Mestiza, Cilrila Bernacha, and was elected
Gobernadorcillo (Municipal Mayor) of the town. One of their sons, Juan
Mercado(Rizals Grad Father), married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese fillipino
Mestiza. Like his Father, he was elected Gobernadorcillo of Binan. Capitan
Juan and Capitana had thirteen children, the youngest being Francisco
Mercado, Rizals Father.

The Surname Rizal

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The real surname of Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731
by Domingo Lamco (the paternal great-great-grand father of Jose Rizal),
who was full blood Chinese.

The Rizal Home

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The house of Rizal family, where the Hero was Born, was one of
distinguished stone house of Calamba during Spanish times. It was two
story building, rectangular in shape, build of adobe stones and hardwords, and red roofed with red tiles. It is describe by Dr. Rafael Palma, one
of Rizal prestigious biographers.
Behind the house were the poultry yard full of Turkeys and Chicken and
big garden of tropical fruit-tress-atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya,
santol, tampoy, etc.

A good Middle class Family

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The Rizal family belong to the principalia, a town aristocracy in Spanish

Philippines. It was one distinguished families in Calamba. By dint of
honest and hard work and frugal living. Rizals Parents were able to live
well. From the farms, which were rented from the Dominican order, they
harvested Rice, corn, and sugar cane.
They raised pigs, chicken, and turkeys in their backyard. In addition to
farming and stock raising, Dona Teodora managed the a general goods
store operated a small flour- mill and a home- made ham press.

Home Life of the Rizals

The Rizal family had simple, contented and happy life. His Parents never
spoiled them, they were strict parents and they trained their children to
love God, to behave well, and to be obedient, and to respect people,
specially the old Folks.
Everyday Rizal family heard mass in the Town church, particularly during
Sundays and Christian Holidays. They prayed daily at home- the Angelus
at the sunset and rosary before retiring to bed at night. After the Family
prayers, all the children kiss the hands of their parents.
CHAPTER 2
CHILDHOOD YEARS ON CALAMBA

JOSE RIZAL had many beautiful memories of child hood in his native town.
He grew up in a
happy home, ruled by good parents bubbling with joy,
and sanctified with Gods blessings. The happiest period of Rizals life was
spent in this lakeshore town, a worthy prelude to his Hamlet-like tragic
manhood.
CALAMBA, The Heros Town
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Calamba was an hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican order,

which also owned the lands around it.
Rizal loved Calamba with all heart and soul. In 1876, when he was 15
years old and was a student in Ateneo de Manila, he remembered his
beloved town. Accordingly, he wrote a poem UN RECERDO A MI PUEBLO
(In memory of my Town)

Early Chidlhood Memories

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The first memory of Rizal, in his fancy. Was his happy days in the garden
when he was 3 years old (because he was a frail, sickly and undersized
child, he was given the tenderness care by his parents.
Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfaill.
Rizal related, his mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the
Angelus.
Another memory of his fancy was the nocturnal walk in the town,
specially when ther was a moon.

The Heros first sorrow

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The Rizal children were bound together by the ties of love and
companionship. Jose loved most the little Concha (Concepcion). He
played with her and from her he learned the sweetness of sisterly love.
Unfortunately. Concha died of sickness in 1865 when she only 3 years old.

Devoted Son of the Church

Rizal grew up a good Catholic. At age of 3, he began to take part of the

family prayers. When he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family
Bible.
He loved to go to the church, to pray, to take part in the novenas, and to
join to the religious possessions.

Artistic Talents
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Since early childhood, Rizal revealed his God-given for art. At age of five,
he began to make sketches with the pencil and to mould in clay and wax
objects which attract his fancy. Jose had the soul of a genuine artist

First Poem by Rizal

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Aside from his sketching and sculpturing talent, Rizal possessed a Godgiven gift for literature . At the age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in the
negative language entitled Sa Aking mga Kababata(To my fellow children)

First drama by Rizal

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After writing the poem to my fellow children, Rizal, who was then eight
Years Old, wrote the first dramatic work which was a tagalong comedy. It
is said that it was stage in Calamba festival and was delightfully
applauded by the audience.

Rizal as boy Magician

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Since early manhood Rizal had been interested in magic. With his
dexterous hands, he learned various tricks, such as making a coin appear
in his fingers and making a handkerchief vanish in thin
air. He
entertained his town folks with magic-lantern exhibition.
In later years
when he attained manhood, he continue his keen
predilection for magic. He read many books on magic and attended the
performances of the famous magician of the world.

CHAPTER 3
EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BINAN
Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Binan. It was a typical schooling
that a son of Illustrado family received his time, characterized by the Four
Rs

Reading, writing, arithmetic and religion

Knowledge was force into the minds of pupils by means of tedius memory
method aided by the teachers whip.
He was able to aquire the nacessary instruction prepatory for college
work in manila and abroad.
He was born a physical weakling.
Rose to become intellectual giant not because of, but rather than inspite
of.
Out moded backward system instruction obtaining Philippine during last
decades of Spanish regime.

The Heros First Teacher

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Is his Mother, a woman of good character and fine culture.

He learned alphabet and prayers at the age of three.
My Mother Rizal wrote in student memories.
Throw how to read and say haltingly the hamble prayers which I raised
fervently to God.
He grew older, his parent employed private tutors.
1. Maestro Calestino
2. Maestro Luaes Padua
Later an old women Leon Mohnroy, former classmates of his father. He
teach him Spanish and latin. But he died five months later, then his
parents decided to send him in binan.