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WEEK 1

RA 1425 (Rizal Bill)

-as controversial as Rizal himself, its mandatory to take this

subject, became law in 1956, transition was not easy because of
the opposition from the catholic church. The main proponent was
Senator Claro M. Recto, dubbed as communist and anti- catholic.
Catholic schools threatens to stop operation if the bill passed
as a law, and Recto said that its good, because then the schools
will be nationalized. Recto has firm support for the
unexpurgated version of Rizal’s works.

RA 1425 AND OTHER LAWS

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

-first section, mandating to read the book and take the course.
last two, it needs to be accessible to the public and schools
must have sufficient number of books in their libraries, and it
is mandatory to print it in different languages.
(JOSE P. LAUREL)

-co writer of the law, explained that the death of Rizal wont be
ignored.

1. to rededicate the lines of youth to the ideas of freedom and

nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died.

2. to pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and
works in shaping the Filipino character.

3. to gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study

of Rizal’s life, works and writings.

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 -Fidel V. Ramos, 1994, made a memorandum order no.247, directed
to the secretary of education, culture and sports etc. if they
didn’t follow the rules there will be sanctions. 1995, CHED
Memorandum No. 3 compliance to the Memorandum No. 247 (Dec 30
Rizal Day)
RA 229

-act prohibiting cock fighting, horse-racing, jai alai, (no

gambling allowed on Rizal day).
THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL

1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current

problems.

2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos.

3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.

4. It provides various essential life lessons.

5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.

6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to

every Filipino.

7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives.

19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES AS RIZAL’S CONTEXT

-Born and grew up on the 19th century

3 Aspects

-economic (end of galleon trade, opening of suez canal, rise of

the export crop of the economy, monopolies)
-social

-cultural

Galleon Trade (1565-1815)

-Thailand (Siyam), Japan, India, Cambodia, Borneo, first known

as the Manila-Acapulco trade (Galleon Trade), a 250 year trade,
had intercultural changes between Asia, Spain, America, Europe

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 and Africa. The reason for the name Galleon Trade was because of
the name of the ship “Galleon”. Manila was the “trading hub”,
with China, India, Japan and SEA countries. There was a huge
migration of Chinese to do business and many more, Spaniards
feared, taxed and sent them out of Parian (exile). Tension rose
to massacre some of the Chinese, and they learned to live with
each other in the next centuries. The Galleon Trade ended on
September 14, 1815 (250 yrs), because of the Mexico War of
Independence.

Opening of Suez Canal

-an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, it connects the

Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea through Isthmus. Before, Barcelona
to Manila takes more than 3 months of journey, with the Suez
Canal its only 32 to 40 day voyage, it was a huge advantage to
commercial enterprises and it served as a significant factor
that enabled the growth of nationalistic desires of Jose Rizal
and other Filipino Ilustrados.

The Rise of the Export of Crop Economy

-sugar, manila hemp and coffee, many Chinese moved to provinces

to expand their population. Hemp was apparent at Southeastern
Luzon and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas for Sugar and
Northeastern Luzon for Tobacco.

Monopolies

-tobacco monopolies, March 1, 1782, Governor General Jose Basco

placed the Philippine Tobacco Industry under government control,
leaving little to no profit for local farmers. They were not
allowed to keep tobacco leaves for personal use, fires and/or
physical punishments were sanctioned. Tobacco monopolies was
finally abolished in 1882 (100yrs). Prompted Filipino’s to seek
freedom from colonial bondage

WEEK 2 (The Social Background)

Education in the 19th Century

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 -schools were established and run by the catholic missionaries
and they aim to convert the natives to catholic faith, so that
they will be obedient to the colonial government. King Philip
mandated Spanish authorities to educate the locals to read,
write and learn Spanish, but they did not seriously teach the
locals fearing that the Indio’s will be knowledgeable or co
equal, less than 1/5 learned. The first formal school was
“parochial schools”, opened their parishes by the missionaries
such as Augustianians, Franciscans, Jesuits and Dominicans. The
native children was taught religion and aside from that they
also taught them how to read, write, arithmetic and some
vocational and practical arts subjects. Latin was the official
language of the Catholic Church, there was corporal punishment,
strict discipline was applied for the native children to learn
fast. Colleges was established for girls and boys, history,
latin, mathematics and philosophy were the subjects (University
education was established early 17th century, but only for
Spaniards and with Spanish blood or the Meztizo’s. They only
accepted native Filipinos in 19th century) giving emphasis on
religion, science and math was not yet included. In 1863 the
King gave a royal decree, establishment of public (school)
system in the Philippines, church controlled curriculum, and
universities began to open to natives (limited accommodation)

The Rise of Chinese Meztizo’s

-at the beginning of 19th Century, economic and political

changes in Europe were finally starting to affect Spain and
consequently the Philippines. The Meztizo’s would rent Haciendas
for coffee, sugar and hemp. They played a vital role in the
country’s economics and politics. It as the rise of a new breed
of rich and influential Filipino middle class, then they
ascended to a position of power, became leaders of education and
finance. Ilustrados, rebels, members of free masonry, and active
in propaganda movement, some of them sensed the failure of
reformism and turned to radicalism, and they looked up to Rizal
as their leader.

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 The Rise of the Inquilinos

-the other word for “tenant”, the right to use land in exchange
for rent, mostly it was farms, the landlords was Friars and
secular Spanish, there were peasants and conflicts which are,
excessive taxes and land rent, sharing agreements, demands for
labor services and fixing of crop prices. The peasant protest
movement also started, because of the abuse and usurpation of
their lands by the Jesuits, Dominicans, Augustinians and
Recollects.

The Political Landscape

Liberalism

-a worldview, founded on ideas of freedom and equality. Liberals

normally believe that the government is necessary to protect
individuals from being abused. Aware that the government can
pose a threat to liberty. French revolution (1789—1799), the
battle cry was “having liberty, equality and fraternity”. Spain
experienced stormy century of political disturbances, changes in
parliaments and constitutions, liberals in Spain considered the
Catholic Church as enemy of reforms. In the 19th Century
Philippines was opened to world trade, liberal ideas from
foreign ports started to penetrate the country and sway
Ilustrados. The political views and liberal thinkers was Jean
Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson,
Montesquieu and Voltaire. The Philippines first actual
experience of liberalism came from the role modeling of the
first liberal Governor General Carlos Maria De La Torre.

(CARLOS MARIA DE LA TORRE)

-appointed by the provisional government, in 1869-1871, he was
the most beloved Spanish Governor-General ever assigned in the
country. His liberal and democratic governance had provided Jose
Rizal and others a preview of a democratic rule and way of life.
He avoided luxury and lived a simple life, he had many
achievements, he encouraged freedom and abolished censorship

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 (sugarcoating). He recognized freedom of speech and of the
press. Father Jose Burgos and other Filipino priest were
encouraged to pursue their dreams of replacing the Friars with
Filipino clergy as parish priest in the country. His greatest
achievement was the peaceful solution to the land problem in
Cavite, it was solved without bloodshed.
WEEK 3 (RIZAL’S LIFE : RIZAL FAMILY, CHILDHOOD AND EARLY
CHILDHOOD)

-full name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

-date of birth: June 19, 1861

-place of birth: Calamba, Laguna

-the seventh of the eleven children (7/11), lived and died

during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines, mastered the
alphabet, learned to write and read during his early childhood
(mastered at the age of 3). Early reading- Spanish version of
Vulgate Bible ( Vulgate-translated to Latin), he showed
inclinations to the arts such as, pencil drawings, sketches and
molding clay. Childhood (9 yrs old) he was painting, he did
sculpture and he wrote a play and was bought for 2 pesos.

Jose’s Parents

-Father : Don Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado, a productive

farmer in Binan, Laguna
-he was a Lieutenant Governor in Calamba nicknamed “Tiniente
Kiko”. Francisco’s great grandfather was Domingo Lam-co, maka-
mas Chinese immigrant businessman, who married a sophisticated
Chinese-Mestiza Ines de la Rosa. One of their two children,
Francisco (also) married Bernarda Monicha, Francisco and
Bernarda’s son, Juan Mercado became Gobernadorcillo (town mayor)
in Binan. Juan married Cirila Alejandro and they had 12
children, the youngest being Jose Rizal’s father Francisco.
Francisco fell in love with Teodora Alfonso when they were in
college, married on June 28, 1848 and settle down in Calamba,
granted to lease a rice farm in the Dominican-owned haciendas.

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 -Mother: Dona Teodora Alonso Quintos Realonda

-known as “Lolay”, diligent business minded woman, very graceful

but courageous, well-mannered, religious and well-read. Very
dignified, she dislikes gossip and vulgar conversation. Lolay’s
great grandfather Eugenio Ursua married a Filipina named
Benigna, Regina their daughter married a Filipino Chinese lawyer
of Pangasinan, Manuel de Quintos. Lorenzo Albert Alonso, a well
known Spanish-Filipino, took as significant other Brigida
Quintos. Lorenzo and Brigida union produced five children,
second of them was Jose Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonso Quintos.
Through Claveria decree of 1849 which changed the Filipino
native surname. The Alonso’s adopted the surname Realonda,
Rizal’s mother thus became Teodora Alonso Quintos Realonda.

Jose’s Siblings

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)

-eldest, provided basic education to Jose
PACIANO RIZAL (MARCH 7, 1851)

-eldest son, General of the Philippine Revolution

NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)

-”Sisa”, financed Jose’s studies in Europe, pawning her

jewelry, peddling her clothes
OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)

-mediator between Jose and Segunda Katigbak

LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)
-charge with inciting Calamba townsfolk, not paying land rent.

MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)

-nice-looking, Jose loves to talk and share to her
(JOSE RIZAL)

CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)

-”Concha”, died at the age of three, saddest moment of Jose

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 JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)
-”Panggoy”, died a spinster, joined the Katipunan

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)

-”Trining”, custodian of Jose’s last greatest poem “Mi ultimo
adios”

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)

-”Choleng”, youngest, best educated among sisters, she’s also a
teacher

The Surname Rizal

-Jose and Paciano have been known “Lamco” brothers (not Rizal),
Domingo Lamco adopted the name “Mercado” or market. Jose’s
father, Francisco adopted the name “Rizal”(Ricial,
pronounciation) or green of young growth, green fields. Paciano
suggested to use Rizal and become well known as Jose finished El
Filibusterismo.

WEEK 4

Rizal’s Birth

(Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, wrote Mi Ultimo

Adios)
(San Jose, Latin “P.P” for Pater Putativus (adopted father), the
Spanish pronunciation for P is “peh”, so what is by Jose Rizal’s
nickname is Pepe.)

-Dona Teodora was said to suffer the greatest pain during the
delivery of her seventh child, Narcisa recalled the suffering of
her mother, she was on labor for a long time, and her pain was
later attributed to the fact that Jose’s head was bigger than
normal. Jose’s parents decided to build a home in, claystove,
water jar (kalan, banga) Calamba, Laguna. Jose’s adoration to
scenic beauty-punctuated by the sight of Laguna Recuerdo a Mi
Pueblo (In Memory of My Town). The first massive stone house
(bahay na bato) was the very birthplace of Jose Rizal.

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 The Childhood Phenom

-a phenom is someone who is exceptionally talented or admired.

Rizal, especially during his childhood, was none less than a
phenom. Jose Rizal’s first memory, in his infancy, was his happy
days in their family garden when he was three years old, because
the young Pepe was weak, sickly and undersized he was given the
fondest care by his parents. His father built a nipa cottage for
Pepe to play in day time. Memory of his infancy included the
nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.
Jose also recalled the “aya” (nursemaid) relating to the Rizal
children some fabulous stories, about the fairies, tales of
buried treasure and trees blooming with diamonds. Another
childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer in their home. At
the early age of three, he started to take a part in the family
prayers. When Concha died of sickness in 1865, Jose mournfully
wept at losing her, he later wrote this in his memoir. As a gift
the child Jose received a pony named “Alipato” from his father,
he loved to ride his pony or take long walks in the meadows and
lakeshore with his black dog named “Usman”. The mother also
induced Jose to love the arts, literature and the classics.
Before he was eight years old, he had written a drama (tagalog
comedy), which was performed at a local festival and for which
the municipal captain rewarded him with 2 pesos. The poem “ Sa
aking mga kababata/kabata” (to my fellow children), Rizal did
not write it, because from his letters to his brother Paciano,
he admitted that he had only encountered the word “kalayaan”
when he was already 21 yrs old. The term “kalayaan” was used not
just once in the poem. The young Rizal was also interested in
magic, read books, making coin and handkerchief disappear.

The Story of Moth

-to impart essential life lessons, Lolay held regular story-

telling sessions with the young Rizal. Dona Teodora loved to
read to Pepe stories from the book Amigo de los Ninos (The
Children’s Friend), one day she scolded his son for drawing on

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 the pages of the story book. To teach value of obedience to
one’s parents, she afterward read him a story in it. Lolay chose
the story about a daughter moth who was warned by her mother
against going too near a lamp flame. Many years later Rizal
himself felt that the moths tale could serve as an allegory of
his own destiny, about himself, he wrote: “ My First
Reminiscence”.

Education in Calamba

-Dona Teodora was Rizal’s first teacher, Rizal wrote “my mother
taught me how to read and say haltingly the humble prayers which
I raised fervently to God”. Aside from his mother Jose’s sister
Saturnina and three maternal Uncles also mentored him. His uncle
Jose Alberto taught him painting, sketching and sculpture, uncle
Gregorio influenced him to further love reading, uncle Manuel
developed Rizal’s physical skills in martial arts, like
wrestling. To further enhance what Rizal had learned, private
tutors were hired to give him lessons at home. The tutors were
Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padug, Leon Monroy.

Education in Binan

-Rizal was subsequently sent to a private school in Binan. In

June 1869, his brother Paciano brought him to the school of
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz (the school was in the teacher’s
house). During Rizal’s first day at the Binan school, the
teacher asked him if he knows Spanish, and he said he only knows
a little, the teacher asked again if he knows Latin, he again
replied he knows a little. Because of this, his classmates,
especially the teachers son Pedro, laughed at him. So later in
that day, Jose challenged the bully Pedro to a fight, the
younger and smaller Jose defeated his tormenter. In the
following days, Jose was said to have some fights with Binan
boys, for his scuffles, he received many whippings and blows on
the open palm from his disciplinarian teacher. Rizal might not
have won all his brawls, but he, nevertheless, beat all Binan
boys academically in Spanish, Latin and many other subjects.

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 After sometime, Jose told his father that he had already learned
all there was to be taught in Binan. Don Francisco firmly
scolded Jose and hustled him back to school. Maestro Cruz,
Jose’s teacher in Binan, later confirmed that Jose has indeed
finished already all thee needed curricular works. So despite
his wife’s reluctance, Don Francisco then decided to send Jose
to a school in Manila.

WEEK 5

Education in Manila

Schools:

Ateneo Municipal De Manila and University of Santo Tomas

-Don Francisco sent his son Jose for further education to Manila
in June 1872. Paciano found a boarding house in Intramuros,
though Jose later transferred to a house on Calle Carballo in
the Santa Cruz area . In the following year, Jose transferred
residence to No.6 Calle Magallanes. Two years later, he became
an intern (boarding student) at Ateneo and stayed there until
his graduation from the institution. From 1877 to 1882, Rizal
studied at the University of Santo Tomas, enrolling in the
course of Philosophy and Letters, but shifted to Medicine a year
after. During his first year at UST, he simultaneously took at
the Ateneo a vocational course leading to being an expert
surveyor. He boarded in the house of a certain Concha Leyva in
Intramuros and later in Casa Tomasin, at Calle 6. His landlord
and uncle, Antonio Rivera had a daughter, Leonor, who became
Jose’s sweetheart. Rizal’s crayon sketch of Leonor Rivera, his
“true love”.

Education at Ateneo

-there is a claim that from the Binan school, Rizal studied at

Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the supposed story stated that
after attending his classes for almost three months in Letran,
Jose was asked by the Dominican friars to look for another
school because of his radical and bold questions. However,

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 standard biographies agree that Rizal just took the entrance
exam in that institution. Don Francisco sent him to enroll
instead in Ateneo Municipal in June 1872, run by the Jesuit
Congregation (society of Jesus) Ateneo upheld religious
instruction, advanced education, rigid discipline, physical
culture and cultivation of the arts, like music, drawing and
painting.

Then: Escuela Pia (Charity School)

a school for poor boys in Manila

Now: archrival of De La Salle in being exclusively luxurious

among others
-he became acquainted with various Meztizo’s who were said to be
begotten by friars. Classes at Ateneo were divided into two
groups, to encourage healthy competitions.
Roman Empire - comprised by interns (boarders)

Carthaginian Empire - consisted of the externs (non boarders)

-with an empire members were also in continuous competition for
the top ranks called

Dignitaries Emperor (highest position)

Tribure

Decurion

Centurion

Standard-Bearer

-initially placed at the tail of the class as a newcomer, Jose

was soon continually promoted-that’s just after a month, he had
become an Emperor, receiving a religious picture as prize. When
the term ended, he attained the mark of excellent in all the
subjects and the examinations. The second year, Jose transferred
residence to No. 6 Calle Magallanes, he obtained a medal at the
end of the academic term, in the third year, he won prizes in
the quarterly examinations. The following year his parents

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 placed him as an intern (boarding student) in the school and
stayed there until his graduation. At the end of the school
year, he garnered five medals, somewhat to repay his father for
his sacrifices. On March 23, 1877 he received Bachelor of Arts
degree, graduation as one of the nine students in his class,
declared “sobresaliente” or outstanding. Some of his priest-
professors at the Ateneo were:
-Jose Bech
-Francisco de Paula Sanchez (best prof)

-Jose Vilaclara
-Don Augustin Saez

-Romualdo de Jesus

Education at UST

-in 1877, Rizal enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas,

taking the course on Philosophy and Letters, at the same time,
he took at the Ateneo a land surveyor and assessor’s degree
(expert surveyor), a vocational course. He finished his
surveyor’s training in 1877, passed the licensing exam in May
1878, though the license was granted to him only in 1881 when he
reached the age of majority. After a year at UST, Jose changed
course and enrolled in Medicine to be able to cure the
deteriorating eyesight of his mother. Being tired of the
discrimination by the Dominican professors against Filipino
students, he nonetheless stopped attending classes at UST in
1882. Another reason for Rizal’s not completing medicine at UST
was that the method of instruction was obsolete (traditional and
old approach) and repressive (the students dont have the freedom
to state their opinions etc). If records were accurate, Rizal
has taken a total of 19 subjects in UST and finished them with
varied grades, ranging from excellent to fair. Notably, he got
excellent in all his subjects in the Philosophy courses.

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