Lecture Notes: Jose Rizal's Family Background and Early Education

Introduction

Focus on Jose Rizal's childhood until his admission to the University of Santo Tomas.
Source: Memoirs of a Student in Manila (1879-1881)
Goal: Evaluate Rizal's family, childhood, and early education to understand their influence on him.

Birth: June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna.
Name Origin: "Jose" chosen by his mother, a devotee of Saint Joseph.
Baptism: June 22, by Father Rufino Kalantz.
Family:
- Father: Francisco Ingatio Alejandro Mercado Rizal, a tenant farmer.
- Mother: Teodora Alonso Realonda, well-educated and supportive of Jose.
- Siblings: 11 children (2 boys, 9 girls); close sibling relationships.
Ancestry: Mixed heritage (Negrito, Malay, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish).
Affluent Family: Belonged to the principalia class; received a comfortable upbringing.

Early education at home by his mother; learned to read and pray by age 3.
Showed signs of intelligence early: invented toys, drew, and learned the alphabet by age 3.
Loss: Suffered the loss of his sister Concha, which deeply affected him.
Devout Catholic upbringing; participated in family prayers from age 3.

Mother's Influence: Teodora encouraged his talent in poetry and literature.
Sibling Influence: Paciano instilled love for freedom and justice; involved in activism.
Education and Skills: Became a polyglot, fluent in 22 languages; developed various skills (journalism, painting, etc.).

Schooling: Attended schools in Calamba and Binan; rigid and strict educational system.
First Teacher: His mother, who taught him letters and prayers.
Tutors: Various private tutors, including Maestro Celestino and Maestro Lucas Padua.
Binan School: Justiniano Aquino Cruz was a strict disciplinarian.

Admission: Enrolled after changing his surname to Rizal due to family suspicion.
Experience: Enjoyed a more advanced education; participated in extracurricular activities.
Professors: Influential Jesuit educators, including Father Francisco Sanchez.
Literary Works: Wrote A La Patria and El Consejo de los Dioses; won literary awards.

Enrollment: April 1877, initially in Philosophy and Letters; later shifted to Medicine.
Challenges: Hostile environment due to discrimination against Filipino students.
Literary Contributions: Continued to write poetry; showcased early nationalism.
Companerismo: Founded a secret society for Filipino art students, promoting camaraderie.
Decision to Study Abroad: Dissatisfaction with the education system led to the decision to continue studies in Spain.

Jose Rizal's background and early education significantly shaped his character and future contributions to Philippine society.
His family's support and his own early experiences fostered a strong sense of nationalism and commitment to education.