Childhood of Jose Rizal

The childhood of Jose Rizal can be characterized by his desire to learn, even frequenting the church
nearby his home to watch and observe people but not to be religiously inclined. Jose Rizal was not a
physically blessed or strong child however, he had a strong will guided and taught by his mother, his first
teacher. He learned almost without the use of books. His mother was the one who laid the foundation
of his great knowledge achieved in such a short time. His brilliance was also the character of the young
Jose Rizal.

Jose Rizal learned his letters at the age of 3 after insisting that he be taught to read and share the
lessons learned by his elder sister. Rizal even tried to spell out the words of his sister’s story book with
the use of a syllabary in such a way that one does when using a dictionary in a foreign language. He also
spent much of this time in a church nearby his house just watching or observing the people coming in
and out.

Three uncles who were brothers of his mother also had much influence on the early childhood of Jose
Rizal. The youngest uncle named Jose, took care of teaching regular lessons to Rizal. His huge uncle
Manuel developed his physique until he had a body of silk and steel and no longer a skinny and sickly
boy. The last uncle, Gregorio instilled in the mind of Rizal that it was not easy to obtain something until
you put effort into it.

There was a also a time when Rizal was able to draw a bird flying nearby without lifting the pencil he
was using from the paper till the picture he drew was finished. He can also draw a running horse and a
chasing dog. Clay and wax were the favorite play materials of Rizal. He used these materials in forming
modeled birds and butterflies. This animal molding activity also started his study of nature.

Jose Rizal also owned a pony and used it to have long rides into the surrounding country which was rich
in scenery. He also took long walks together with his big black dog named Usman. He also loved to play
with the doves in his neighborhood. He learned about the myths and legends in Laguna after sleeping
through the nut in a little straw hut used by Laguna farmers during the harvest season. Rizal was also
good in hand tricks which he perfected to amaze the simple folk and performed magic lantern
exhibitions.

Even in his childhood, Rizal already knew how to respect the rights of others and requested his elders to
reason with him rather than get mad at him for small offenses. He became a welcome companion for
adults even at his young age since he respected their moods and was nizal’s Education
RIZAL’s EDUCATION

Jose Rizal’s first teacher was his mother, who had taught him how to read
and pray and who had encouraged him to write poetry. Later, private
tutors taught the young Rizal Spanish and Latin, before he was sent to a
private school in Biñan.

When he was 11 years old, Rizal entered the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He earned excellent marks in
subjects like philosophy, physics, chemistry, and natural history. At this school, he read novels; wrote
prize-winning poetry (and even a melodrama—“Junto al Pasig”); and practiced drawing, painting, and
clay modeling, all of which remained lifelong interests for him.

Rizal eventually earned a land surveyor’s and assessor’s degree from the Ateneo Municipal while taking
up Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas. Upon learning that his mother was going
blind, Rizal opted to study ophthalmology at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He, however, was
not able to complete the course because “he became politically isolated by adversaries among the
faculty and clergy who demanded that he assimilate to their system.”

Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled to Europe in May 1882. According to his
biographer, Austin Craig, Rizal, “in order to obtain a better education, had had to leave his country
stealthily like a fugitive from justice, and his family, to save themselves from persecution, were
compelled to profess ignorance of his plans and movements. His name was entered in Santo Tomas at
the opening of the new term, with the fees paid, and Paciano had gone to Manila pretending to be
looking for this brother whom he had assisted out of the country.”

Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also took courses
in philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he conceived of writing Noli Me Tangere. He also
attended the University of Paris and, in 1887, completed his eye specialization course at the University
of Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel was published (in Berlin).

Rizal is said to have had the ability to master various skills, subjects, and languages. Our national hero
was also a doctor, farmer, naturalist (he discovered the Draco rizali, a small lizard; Apogania rizali, a
beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali, a frog), writer, visual artist, athlete (martial arts, fencing, and pistol
shooting), musician, and social scientist.

ever a hindrance to their activities.