JOSE RIZAL

The national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan

race was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba,
Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2
boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and
belonged to distinguished families.

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer

whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan,
Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly
cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving
and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write,
he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his
pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog
poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language.

In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent"
from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters
at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses leading to the degree of
surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877
and passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he was not
granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881.

In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies
when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican
tutors. On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad
Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in
Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent."

Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages. These
include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese,
Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects. A
versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist,
ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist,
nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist,
sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.

He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and social
reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest
apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with highly
nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE,
a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in
Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his
annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be proud of even long before
the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his
second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was
printed in Ghent. Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and
clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives
and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence, he
and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding
faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago
from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the
luggage of his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong. While a political exile in
Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a
hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts.

The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as
well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he entered into
correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the help of his
pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of Mindanao - both considered remarkable
engineering feats. His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and confidence of even
those assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were found irresistible by
women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained
for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted
courage and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in
pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these
were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to the date of his
execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled
poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document
expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock
trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold
morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with
varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who
treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.
The Mercado - Rizal Family

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the
family's paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from
Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the
name of Ines de la Rosa.

Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay
and Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and
Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.

FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)

Father of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, was born in Biñan, Laguna. He first attended a Latin
school in his hometown, and later was sent to study Philosophy and Latin at the College of San
Jose in Manila. He got married to Teodora Alonzo on June 28, 1848 and had eight children,
including Jose Rizal.

As a young industrious and efficient farmer, Francisco was able to raise a family that was
financially comfortable. He was a tenant of a Dominican estate in Calamba, Laguna and through
hard work, he had increased his rented landholdings. He was respected by the townspeople
that he became cabeza de barangay of Calamba.

His family name was changed to "Rizal" after an order from Governor General Narciso Claveria
that all native Filipinos should have a distinctive family name.

TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)

Mother of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, was born in Meisik, Tondo, Manila. She was
known for being a disciplinarian as well as a dedicated, courteous and hard- working mother. As
the young Rizal's first teacher, she had a profound influence on his development and was his
inspiration in taking up medicine.
Teodora was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. In accordance to the
decree issued by Governor-General Narciso Claveria in 1849, their family adopted the
surname "Realonda de Rizal". Coming from an able family, Teodora had her formal education at
the Colegio de Santa Rosa in Manila. Just like her mother, she was well-educated and highly
cultured.

She was 20 years old when she married Francisco Mercado of Biñan, Laguna in 1848. They
settled in Calamba, Laguan and to them were born eleven children namely, Saturnina, Paciano,
Narcisa, Olimpia, Lucia, Maria, Jose, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad. The Rizal family
was primarily engaged in agriculture.

As the mother of a perceived enemy of the Spanish authorities, Teodora was often persecuted.
In 1872, she was imprisoned for two and a half years on trumped-up charges of poisoning her
brother's wife. In 1891, she was made to walk fifty kilometers to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, for failing to
use her hispanicized surname, Realonda de Rizal. She had insisted on using Alonzo. Her family
was ejected from their lands in Calamba due to a land conflict after which they relocated to
Manila.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)

Paciano Mercado was born on 7 March 1851 to Don Francisco Mercado and Doña Teodora
Alonso. He was the second of the 11 children of the couple. As what most of us knew about
him, he was the big brother of our national hero. But more to this character, there is
something more that he had offered for his family and for our country.

Just like Pepe, his first teacher was Doña Teodora who taught him basic reading, writing and
praying. He was eventually sent to Biñan, Laguna to learn more under the tutelage of Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz. Eventually his parents sent him to Manila to pursue further education.
For quite a while, he studied at the College of San Jose. During his stay in Manila, he lived and
worked with Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyr priests implicated in the 1872 Cavite
Mutiny. Probably, his acquaintance with Father Burgos made him very vocal on his criticisms
regarding the abuses of the Spanish friars.

Due to their parents’ old age, Paciano was tasked to look after the education of his younger
brother. He brought his younger brother to Biñan also to study under Maestro Justiniano. In
1872, Paciano accompanied Pepe to Manila and had him enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal.
Most biographers of our national hero believed that it was Paciano who was responsible for
making his brother use the surname Rizal instead of Mercado, for he wanted his brother to
enjoy a hassle-free and first-rate education, that would not be possible had he used the
surname Mercado. Due to his strong connection with Father Burgos, the friars and the Spanish
authorities turned out to be very suspicious of Paciano. As a protective brother, he changed his
brother’s surname from Mercado to Rizal to prevent the friars in knowing their affiliation.
Luckily, Pepe was able to make most out of his student life in Ateneo. Paciano also made sure
that all his brother’s needs were well taken cared.

In 1882, Pepe went abroad to continue his medical studies in Europe. Unfortunately, the heavy
tasks fell on Paciano’s shoulders—First, to inform their parents on Pepe’s real intention in
leaving the Philippines; Second, to comfort them in their unspeakable sorrow and most
importantly, to carry the burden of working hard to find means to finance his brother’s
expenses while studying abroad.

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)

Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan,
Batangas.

NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)

The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.

OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)

The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.

LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)

The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.

MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)

The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)

The eight child. Died at the age of three.

JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)

The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)

The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)

The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.
Rizal, the Romantic

There were at least nine women linked with Rizal; namely Segunda Katigbak, Leonor
Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead,
Suzanne Jacoby and Josephine Bracken. These women might have been beguiled by his
intelligence, charm and wit.

Segunda Katigbak
Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love. Unfortunately, his first love was engaged to be married
to a town mate- Manuel Luz. After his admiration for a short girl in the person of Segunda, then
came Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. Rizal send her love notes written in invisible
ink, that could only be deciphered over the warmth of the lamp or candle. He visited her on the
eve of his departure to Spain and bade her a last goodbye.

Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years played the greatest influence in keeping him from
falling in love with other women during his travel. Unfortunately, Leonor’s mother disapproved
of her daughter’s relationship with Rizal, who was then a known filibustero. She hid from
Leonor all letters sent to her sweetheart. Leonor believing that Rizal had already forgotten her,
sadly consented her to marry the Englishman Henry Kipping, her mother’s choice.

Consuelo Ortiga
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga’s daughters, fell in love with him. He
dedicated to her A la Senorita C.O. y R., which became one of his best poems. The Ortiga's
residence in Madrid was frequented by Rizal and his compatriots. He probably fell in love with
her and Consuelo apparently asked him for romantic verses. He suddenly backed out before the
relationship turned into a serious romance, because he wanted to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera
and he did not want to destroy hid friendship with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love with
Consuelo.

O Sei San
O Sei San, a Japanese samurai’s daughter taught Rizal the Japanese art of painting known as su-
mie. She also helped Rizal improve his knowledge of Japanese language. If Rizal was a man
without a patriotic mission, he would have married this lovely and intelligent woman and lived
a stable and happy life with her in Japan because Spanish legation there offered him a lucrative
job.

Gertrude Beckett
While Rizal was in London annotating the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in the house
of the Beckett family, within walking distance of the British Museum. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and
buxom girl was the oldest of the three Beckett daughters. She fell in love with Rizal. Tottie
helped him in his painting and sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to avoid
Gertrude, who was seriously in love with him. Before leaving London, he was able to finish the
group carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave the group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their
brief relationship.

Nellie Boustead
Rizal having lost Leonor Rivera, entertained the thought of courting other ladies. While a guest
of the Boustead family at their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, he had befriended the two
pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal used to fence with the sisters at the
studio of Juan Luna. Antonio Luna, Juan’s brother and also a frequent visitor of the Bousteads,
courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated with Rizal. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, a
drunken Antonio Luna uttered unsavory remarks against Nellie Boustead. This prompted Rizal
to challenge Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for
the compatriots.

Their love affair unfortunately did not end in marriage. It failed because Rizal refused to be
converted to the Protestant faith, as Nellie demanded and Nellie’s mother did not like a
physician without enough paying clientele to be a son-in-law. The lovers, however, parted as
good friends when Rizal left Europe.

Suzanne Jacoby
In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the high cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived
in the boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters. In time, they fell deeply in love with each other.
Suzanne cried when Rizal left Brussels and wrote him when he was in Madrid.

Josephine Bracken
In the last days of February 1895, while still in Dapitan, Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish girl,
with bold blue eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was Josephine Bracken, the
adopted daughter of George Taufer from Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek Rizal for eye
treatment. Rizal was physically attracted to her. His loneliness and boredom must have taken
the measure of him and what could be a better diversion that to fall in love again. But the Rizal
sisters suspected Josephine as an agent of the friars and they considered her as a threat to
Rizal’s security.

Rizal asked Josephine to marry him, but she was not yet ready to make a decision due to her
responsibility to the blind Taufer. Since Taufer’s blindness was untreatable, he left for Hon Kong
on March 1895. Josephine stayed with Rizal’s family in Manila. Upon her return to Dapitan,
Rizal tried to arrange with Father Antonio Obach for their marriage. However, the priest wanted
a retraction as a precondition before marrying them. Rizal upon the advice of his family and
friends and with Josephine’s consent took her as his wife even without the Church blessings.
Josephine later give birth prematurely to a stillborn baby, a result of some incidence, which
might have shocked or frightened her.