Rizal’s Background (Family, Education, Novels)

Rizal’s family background

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, the greatest hero of the Philippines, was born in Calamba, on the southwest shore of the picturesque Laguna of Bay in Luzon, June 19, 1861. He was the seventh child among the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda, both were exemplarily educated, industrious, loving, affectionate, devoutly religious although strict, hospitable, and civic-spirited.

José Rizal’s Siblings

Saturnina,(Neneng) the oldest among them who was married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Batangas.

Paciano, the older brother of Rizal, who served as a guide and tutor of Jose

Narcisa, (Sisa) third among the children, married to Antonio Lopez of Rizal

Olympia, (Ypia) she was wedded to Silvestre Ubaldo from Manila

Lucia, fifth among them and married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba

Maria, (Blang) wedded to Daniel Faustino of Biñan

Jose, (Pepe) seventh in the family, married Josephine Bracken of Hongkong

Concepcion, (Concha) desolately died at the age of three, first sorrow of Rizal

Josefa, (Panggoy) she died an old maid

Trinidad, (Trining) same as Josefa, died as an old maid

Soldedad, (Choleng) the “bunso” among them, married to Pantaleon Quintero from Calamba

Lineage of Rizal’s Family

Rizal's great grandpa arrived in the Philippines with a Chinaman named Lam Co, who came from the Amoy district to Manila, probably due to political strife following his country's capture by Manchu invaders. It was in 1697 that this ancestor whose Christian name was Domingo was baptized in the Parian Church of San Gabriel. He was a trader who decided to stay in these islands and become a farmer to avoid the harsh treatment of Chinese people in Manila. He married the daughter of a countryman reputed to be a rice dealer and migrated to Laguna province to become a tenant of the Dominican landlords at Biñan.

Francisco Mercado y Chinco was Lam Co's son. His name was derived from the Chinese custom meaning Sangley or "traveling trader," while in Spanish it was Mercado, which means "trader." Lam Co chose to stop traveling and reside here, but not to quit trading. Teodora Alonso y Quintus, his wife, was nine years his junior and a woman of outstanding talent as well as an education rare for the time in its modernism and liberality. She was of Ilocano-Tagalog-Chinese Spanish origin, with probably some Japanese blood, and came from a family of gifted men that included lawyers, priests, government officials, and businessmen. They boasted of having one delegate from the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes, and it is reported that Dr. Rizal had a childhood aspiration to hold the same role someday.

In 1850, Governor Narciso Claveria ordered Filipino families to choose new surnames from a list of Spanish family names. A new family name was adopted by authority of the preceding year's royal decree, which sought to alleviate the confusion caused by many unrelated Filipinos having the same last name and an even greater number having no last name at all.

Francisco Rizal quickly discovered that, despite his legal power, the new name was causing uncertainty in commercial dealings began under the previous name, so he settled for "Rizal Mercado" after a few years. His mother-in-law, who lived in the neighborhood at the time, took the name "Rialonda," and her children followed suit. When José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was baptized, the record listed his parents as Francisco Mercado Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, another spelling of Rialonda.

St. Protasio, the child's patron, was a martyr, and the fact that he was christened by a Filipino priest and confirmed by a secular archbishop seems fitting.

Educational background

Doña Teodora, Rizal’s mother, was his first instructor. Doa Teodora was patient, responsible, and considerate. She also found Rizal’s poetic talent and pushed him to create poetry.

Private Tutors

Jose’s parents hired private tutors to teach him at home as he grew older. Maestro Celestino was the first, and Maestro Lucas Padua was the second. Later, the boy’s tutor was an elderly man called Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal’s father. Jose was taught Spanish and Latin by this old teacher who lived at the Rizal house. He did not live long, unfortunately. Five months later, he died.

Biñan

Rizal arrived in Biñan in June 1869. He was taught by Maestro Justiniano and accompanied by his older brother Paciano. Rizal outperformed all Biñan lads in academics. In Spanish, Latin, and other disciplines, he outperformed them.

Ateneo

In 1872, Rizal enrolled at Ateneo. He was part of a group that included Spaniards, Mestizos, and Filipinos. However, he was treated as a second-class citizen and was assigned to the bottom of the class. He was crowned Emperor at the end of the month and given a prize: a sacred painting. Rizal received sobresaliente or exceptional with 5 medals on March 23, 1877. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Extra Curriculars

Classroom Emperor

Campus Leader

Secretary of Marian Congregation Religious Society

Member of Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences

Studied painting under the famous Spanish Painter, Agustin Saez

Improved his sculpture talents under the supervision of Romualdo de Jesus

Engaged in gymnastics and fencing and continued the physical training under his sports-minded Tio Manuel

Medical Studies in University of Sto. Thomas (1877 – 1882)

· After electing to pursue a medical degree, he continued his education at UST and completed a year in Philosophy and Letters. He decided to become a doctor so that he might help his mother with her fading eyesight. He sought medical advice from Father Pablo Ramon, the Ateneo’s Father Rector. He majored in cosmology, metaphysics, theodicy, and philosophy history. Rizal stayed faithful to Ateneo when UST was under the Dominicans, a rival of the Jesuits who founded Ateneo.

Pre-Med Course

· Only four of the 28 young men who took Ampliacion, including Rizal, were given the opportunity to do the preparation course and the first year of medicine at the same time. Rizal also completed his four-year medical internship at the Hospital of San Juan de Dios in Intramuros. Rizal received a global mark of Notable (Very Good) in all of his disciplines during his last year at the University, and he was the second best student in a decimated class of seven who passed the medicine course. Following that, Rizal chose to study in Spain.

Academic Journey To Spain (1882 – 1885)

His departure for Spain was kept hidden from Spanish authorities, friars, and even his parents, particularly his mother, who refused to let him go. He went by the name Jose Mercado to escape detection. He boarded the Salvadora destined for Singapore on May 3, 1882, as the only Filipino passenger. He enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid on November 3, 1882, taking two courses: Philosophy and Letters and Medicine. He awarded the Licentiate in Medicine degree on June 21, 1884. He studied and passed all topics leading to the doctor of medical degree the next academic year. He was unable to submit the thesis required for graduation, nor pay the costs associated with it. He was not satisfied with that. He did not receive his Doctor’s Diploma as a result of this. Rizal also completed his studies in Philosophy and Letters with honors. He received an excellent Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters degree from the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885.

Opthalmology studies and travels in Europe

Jose Rizal completed his ophthalmology training in Paris and Germany. He chose this branch over all others because he wanted to help his mother’s fading eyesight. Rizal, then 24 years old and a graduate of the Universidad Central de Madrid, travelled to Paris in 1885 to further his ophthalmology education.

On February 3, 1886, he left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany, after gaining some ophthalmology experience. He worked at the University Eye Hospital under the supervision of renowned German ophthalmologist Dr. Otto Becker. Rizal penned A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heidelberg) on April 22, 1886, inspired by the blooming flowers along the Neckar River, particularly the light blue flower known as “forget-me-not.” Rizal landed in Leipzig on August 14, 1886. He took history and psychology seminars at the University of Leipzig while he was there.

At the Universidad Central de Madrid, Jose Rizal got a Licentiate in Medicine while also studying philosophy and literature. He began composing Noli Me Tangere while in Madrid. He also studied at the University of Paris and finished his eye specialty course at the University of Heidelberg in 1887. Rizal’s first novel was also published in Berlin during same year.

Rizal found friends in Europe:

Maximo Viola

Señor Eusebio Corominas

Don Miguel Morayta

Dr. Louis de Weckert

Rizal chose to reside in Germane longer for the following reasons:

To further his scientific and linguistic studies.

To keep an eye on Germany’s economic and political situation.

To be associated with well-known scientists and academics.

Finally, his work Noli Me Tangere will be published.

Jose Rizal’s Novel Works

Noli Me Tangere

When Jose Rizal was still studying medicine in Madrid in 1884, he began writing the first sections of his novel Noli Me Tangere. After finishing his medical studies, Rizal continued to work on this novel in Paris, France. In Berlin, Germany, Jose Rizal completed the novel’s last sections. Rizal was inspired to write Noli Me Tangere after reading Harriet Beacher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Uncle Tom’s Cabin depicts the lives of black slaves held captive by powerful white Americans. The book focused on the sufferings, mistreatment, and hardships endured by Negro slaves, and contrasted their tragic predicament to the cruel treatment his compatriots endured under Spanish control.

Jose Rizal originally intended to compile the written experiences of his people who were resisting Spanish control with his own views to complete the book, but he subsequently altered his mind and authored the book entirely by himself. Rizal also sought advice from his friend Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt about the topics covered in the book and the necessity to write about them.

The situation of the country under the Spaniards, according to Rizal, was a disgrace, adding to the Filipinos’ suffering. The detailed account of his countrymen’s hardships was intended to awaken Filipinos to the truth that was negatively affecting society and that had not been discussed by the people, most likely owing to fear of the ruling Spaniards.

Meaning of ‘Noli Me Tangere’

Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that meaning “Do Not Touch Me,” and it appears in the Bible in St. John the Baptist’s book.

Characters

Ibarra and Elias

Crisostomo Ibarra, a young man who studied in Europe, is the protagonist of Rizal’s epic novel. Ibarra’s dream was to create a school so that his hometown’s youngsters may have a good future. Crisostomo Ibarra was assisted by a pilot and farmer named Elias, who helped him learn more about his nation and its current difficulties.

Kapitan Tiyago, Maria Clara and Padre Damaso

Kapitan Tiyago, a businessman from Binondo, was also one of the novel’s most essential characters. He was the stepfather of Maria Clara, Crisostomo Ibarra’s conservative lover. Maria Clara is a lady from San Diego who was born as a result of an affair between Dona Pia Alba and Padre Damaso. Padre Damaso is a Franciscan priest who served as the head priest of San Diego for many years. Padre Salvi, who had a secret crush on Maria Clara, took his position.

Other characters

Sisa, Basilio, Crispin, Pilosopo Tasyo, Alperes, Dona Victorina, Dona Consolacion, Kapitan Basilio, Don Saturnino, Don Rafael Ibarra, Mang Pablo, Dona Pia, Lucas, Linares, Don Filipo, Tarsilo at Bruno, Kapitana Maria, Padre Sibyla, Albino, Tinyente Guevarra, Iday, Sinang, Victoria at Andeng

El Filibusterismo

El filibusterismo, often known as The Reign of Greed in English, is the second novel authored by Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me Tángere and was written in Spanish, as was the first. It was initially published in Ghent, Belgium in 1891. The tale revolves around the main character of the Noli-El fili duology, Crisóstomo Ibarra, who has returned for revenge as "Simoun." The novel's dark theme contrasts sharply with the previous novel's hopeful and romantic atmosphere, indicating Ibarra's resort to using violence to solve his country's problems after his previous attempts at reforming the country's system failed and seemed impossible given the Spaniards' corrupt attitude toward Filipinos.

The novel, like its predecessor, was banned in various regions of the Philippines due to depictions of abuses and corruption by the Spanish government. These works, combined with Rizal's participation in groups aimed at addressing and reforming the Spanish system and its faults, resulted in Rizal's exile to Dapitan and subsequent execution. Both the novel and its predecessor, as well as Rizal's final poem, are now regarded as literary masterpieces by Rizal.

Both of Rizal's novels had a profound impact on Philippine society in terms of national identity, the Catholic faith and its influence on Filipino choice, and the government's issues of corruption, abuse of power, and discrimination, as well as, on a larger scale, issues related to the impact of colonization on people's lives and the cause for independence. These works later constituted the motivation for the beginnings of the Philippine Revolution.

Meaning of ‘El Filibusterismo’

The phrase "the reign of greed" properly describes our modern civilization.

Characters

Simoun - Crisostomo Ibarra, who was thought to have been killed at the end of Noli Me Tangere, suddenly resurrected as the wealthy jeweler Simoun, replete with mustache, turquoise spectacles, and a revolver. He has since abandoned his pacifist persona and assumed the title of "filibustero," pretending to sympathize with the upper class and pushing them to oppress the masses while, in reality, standing with the people and motivating everyone to revolt against by the dictatorial Spanish regime. This time, he opposes the government via power rather than intellect. He devises a plan to detonate a bomb camouflaged as a magnificent lamp at a marriage ceremony attended by powerful figures of democratic governance as well as the ecclesiastical hierarchy. His scheme failed, and he ends up dead by drinking poison.

Baslio – a graduate medical student and sisa's son who befriended Simoun. It's the same basilio that appeared in Noli Me Tangere.

Isagani Villamor – Basilio's friend, ex-beau of Paulita Gomez, and indeed the man who took the explosive lamp from Captain Tiago's residence, obstructing Simoun's plans.

Kabesang Tales – Cabeza Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former Sagpang cabeza de barangay (barangay head). Tiani, a barrio in San Diego's neighboring town, reappears as the feared Luzon bandit Matanglawin.

Don Cusodio - Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo, a well-known "journalist," was approached by students to enable about his intention to join the Academia de Castellano. In actuality, he is a commoner who married a wealthy woman to become a member of Manila's elite society.

Paulita Gomez - The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the old Indio who passes herself off as a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and Juanito Peláez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.

Macaraig- One of Isagani's University of Santo Tomas colleagues. He is indeed a wealthy student who leads the pupils that want to create the Academia de Castellano.

Father Florentino - Isagani's godfather and a secular priest; was supposed to get married but elected to be a priest after being persuaded by his mother, with the tale pointing at the uncertainty of his decision as he selects an appointment to a remote location, living in solitary close to the coast.

Juli San Jose - Juliana de Dios, Basilio's girlfriend and Kabesang Tales' youngest daughter. To reclaim her father from the robbers, she had to serve as a maid under Hermana Penchang's supervision. She was later released, but she committed herself after Father Camorra tried to assault her.

Juanito Pelaez - The instructors' favored learner. They are of aristocratic Spanish descent.

Doña Victorina - Victorina de los Reyes de Espadañada, recognized as Tiburcio de Espadaa's wicked spouse in Noli Me Tangere. She is Paulita Gomez's aunt, and she preferred Juanito Pelaez over Isagani. Despite her Indio beliefs, she believes herself a Peninsular.

Father Camorra - The passionate parish priest of Tiani, San Diego's neighboring village, who has long had romantic feelings for young women. He almost raped Juli, driving her to commit suicide.

THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES OF NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO

EL FILIBUSTERISMO AND JOSE RIZAL AS ‘SCIENCE FICTIONIST

We as a students, this novel brings lessons and realizations in life. No matter how old it is, or how old-fashioned. We can still relate ourselves and the present occurrences in the things that had happened in the novel during Spanish colonization. Although we are have freedom we are still blocked from the truth of our government, Many officials are greedy and dishonest that opposed on what they show to the public. I think Jose Rizal wants us to realize that revolution is not the solution, but it can help us get closer to gain our independence. Peaceful war is good solution in battle since no one will be sacrificed for something. The novel tell us how cruel and how purely evil the Spaniards was. Nevertheless, it also tackles the bravery of the Filipino community. It shows the unimagined bravery of our countrymen on fighting the greediness and cruelty of the Spaniards.

Jose Rizal is known to be one of the Philippines’ great heroes not only because of his intelligence but also his deep love for his country with his famous two great novels that has given great impacts to the country.

We students should read and understand the novel and why and how Dr. Jose Rizal became a hero. Through the novel, it will make us understand the roots of our country's history and how we need to fight for our rights and for our freedom.

MONUMENTS WITH SIGNIFANT RELEVANCE TO RIZAL

1. Monument in Singapore

Jose Rizal visited the country of Singapore four times. The first of his many visits to foreign lands was a two-day stopover in Singapore in 1882, where he went on a sightseeing of the city.

He left Singapore for Europe on May 11, 1882, and returned to the city on May 17,1892. This was to be his last visit to Singapore, for not long after this, he was executed on Dec. 30, 1896.

In 2005, on the anniversary of Rizal’s birth, President Nathan of Singapore and the National Heritage Board unveiled a memorial near the Asian Civilization Museum, featuring a bronze medallion of Rizal by a Filipino artist to commemorate his various sojourns in the city.

2. Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines

Front marker

The Rizal Monument (original title: Motto Stella; Latin: "guiding star") is a memorial in Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines built to commemorate the executed Filipino nationalist, José Rizal.

The monument consists of a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, with an obelisk, set on a stone base within which his remains are interred, holding his 2 famous novels "El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere".

A plaque on the pedestal's front reads: "To the memory of José Rizal, patriot and martyr, executed on Bagumbayan Field December Thirtieth 1896. This monument is dedicated by the people of the Philippine Islands."

3. Monument in Hibiya Park, Tokyo, Japan

One of the happiest interludes in Rizal’s life was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossom for 45 days from Feb. 28 to April 13, 1888.

On Feb. 18,1888, Rizal arrived in Yokahoma and registered at the grand Tokyo Hotel. He proceeded the next day to Tokyo Hotel where he was billeted from March 2 to 7, and then transferred to the Spanish Legation

He was charmed by “the natural beauty of Japan, the manners of the Japanese people, the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women, the scenic panoramas and shrines and industry of the Japanese people.”

A bust of Rizal was erected on the site of the grand hotel where he stayed in 1888. The marker reads: “DR. JOSE RIZAL NATIONAL HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES STAYED IN 1888 AT TOKYO HOTEL LOCATED AT THIS SITE. UNVEILED JUNE 19, 1961”

4. Jose Rizal's monument in downtown Iloilo City, Philippines

Front marker

Rizal in the Plaza Libertad monument is holding a document with his left hand, while his right is pointing to a certain direction. The concrete pedestal where Rizal stand is occupied with plaques in its four sides.

The passage of the plaque in its front view is "Homenaje al Dr. Jose Rizal de la Ciudad de Iloilo, 30 de Deciembre 1917." The other plaques at the sides have the date of his date and the title of his novel, Noli Me Tangere. The plaque at the back of the monument reveals the committee responsible for the monument and the date of its establishment. This is dated January 28, 1907.

As a tribute to Rizal, Ilonggos gather in Plaza Libertad and hold a program every December 30. The celebration is usually participated in by schools, government agencies and their employees, the private sector, the media, and barangay contingents who, together, release white balloons and doves and take turns in offering flowers at the Rizal monument.

5. Bust in Orlando, Florida

Rizal first saw America on April 28, 1888, and visited the cities of New York, Oakland, Reno, Chicago and Boston.

He wrote in his diary: “I visited the great cities of America, with their grandiose edifices, their electric lights, and their great conceptions. America is, undoubtedly, a great country, but she has many defects.”

REFERENCES

Comparison of noli and El fil.docx - Ramos, Romelyn T. 2020 January 06, RZL110/A7 make use of graphics to compare Noli Me Tangere and: Course hero. Comparison of Noli and El Fil.docx - Ramos, Romelyn T. 2020 January 06, RZL110/A7 Make use of graphics to compare Noli Me Tangere and | Course Hero. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.coursehero.com/file/53589012/Comparison-of-Noli-and-El-Fildocx/

Education - José Rizal. (2022). Retrieved 14 June 2022, from https://rizal.raphaelmarco.com/biography/education

El Filibusterismo (Tagalog) | Rizal Works. (2022). Retrieved 14 June 2022, from https://rizal.works/works/el-filibusterismo/

Funtecha, H. (n.d.). The News Today Online. Some Rizal landmarks in downtown Iloilo City. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/03/28/some.rizal.landmarks.in.downtown.iloilo.city.html

Intellectual Legacies in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo | dimasalang laong laan. (2022). Retrieved 14 June 2022, from https://dimasalanglaonglaan.wordpress.com/intellectual-legacies-in-noli-me-tangere-and-el-filibusterismo/

Monuments. (2016, December 24). Monuments and memorials to Jose Rizal around the world. Inquirer Lifestyle. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/248798/monuments-memorials-jose-rizal-around-world/

Noli Me Tangere. (2022). Retrieved 14 June 2022, from https://www.joserizal.com/noli-me-tangere/

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, May 14). Rizal Monument. Wikipedia. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Monument