Introduction to Rizal’s Life

RA 1425 – Rizal Law

He was regarded as an “American-made hero”

-First Philippine Commission was formed by the American Governor-General

William Howard Taft

Rizal was the first exponent of Asian nationalism since he was the source of
inspiration for the outbreak of Philippine religion of 1896.

Rizal was the first Asian Leader to assert that the aforementioned ideas and
principles be established in Asia for the benefit of the Asians.

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda

Doctor- complete his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of
licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid

Jose- chosen by his mother who was a devotee of St. Joseph

Protacio- from Gervacio P. which came from a Christian calendar

Rizal- from the word “ricial” in Spanish means field where wheat are cut while
still green and sprouts again

Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the paternal great grandfather

of Jose Rizal). A Spanish term Mercado meaning market in English

Alonzo- old surname of his mother

Y- and

Realonda- it was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her Godmother
based on the culture that time.

Birthdate: June 19, 1861- moonlit of midnight between 11pm and midnight
in lake shore town of Calamba Laguna

Rizal died in December 30, 1896

Rizal was baptized by Rev. Rufino Collantes in the Catholic Church of

Calamba on June 22, 1861, three days after birth
Father Pedro Casanas – Rizal’s Godfather

-Lieutenant –General Jose Lemery was the governor-general of the

Philippines when he was born

Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898) – Rizal’s Father

- Born in Binan, Laguna on May 11,1818

- Died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age 80

Doña Teodora alonso Realonda (1826-1911) – Rizal’s Mother

- Born in Manila on November 8, 1826

- Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at age of 85.

Rizal always addresses his sister Doña or Señora(for married) and Señorita
(Single)

Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28,

1848, after they settled in Calamba

The real surname of the Rizal was Mercado, Which was adopted in 1713 by
Domingo Lamco (paternal great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was full
bloodied chinese .

Rizal’s family acquired a second surname –Rizal-which was given by a Spanish

Alcalde Mayor (provincial governor) of Laguna, who was a family friend.

Rizal’s Siblings

- Saturnina (1850-1913)
- eldest child
- nickname “neneng”
- Married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanuan, Batangas
Paciano (1851-1930)

- older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal

- He was the second father of Rizal

- Immortalized him in Rizal’s first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopong
Tasio

- Rizal regarded him as the “Most Noble of Filipinos”

- He became the combat general of the Philippine revolution

- Died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor at the age of 79, he had two
children by his mistress (Severina Decina)- a boy and a girl

Narcisa (1852-1945)

- Petname Sisa

- She was married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez) a school
teacher of Morong

Olympia (1855-1887)

- petname Ypia

- She was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator in Manila

- died in childbirth

Lucia (1857-1979)

- She was married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba , who was a nephew of

Father Casanas

Maria (1859-1945)

- Biang was her petname

- She was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna

Jose (1861-1896) - petname pepe

Concepcion

-Concha was her petname

-died at the age of 3

Josefa (1865-1945)

-Panggoy was her pet-name

-An Epileptic, died a spinster

Trinidad (1868-1951)

-Trining was her pet-name

-Died a spinster and the last member of the family to die

Soledad (1870-1929)

-Choleng was her pet-name

-the youngest child and married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba

Chapter 1:

Claro M. Recto

- the main proponent of the Rizal Bill

Republic Act 1425 or Rizal Law

• House Bill no. 5561

• Senate Bill no. 438 – also known as Rizal Bill

• It is commonly known as the Rizal Act, established on the 12th of June

1956 by Senator Claro M. Recto

• It requires the curricula of private and public schools, colleges and

universities courses to include , works and writings of Rizal, particularly
his novels Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

• Effective on August 16, 1956

Rizal Laws

1. R.A. 1425-An act to include in the curricula of all public and private
schools, colleges and universities courses on the Life, Works and
Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusteresmo, authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and
for other Purposes.

2. R.A. 229- An act to prohibit cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai on the
thirtieth day of December of each year and to create a committee to take
charge of the proper celebration of Rizal day in every municipality and
chartered city, and for other purposes

3. Memorandum Order No. 247- Directing the Secretary of Education,

Culture and Sports and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher
Education to fully implement Republic Act No. 1425.

4. CHED Memorandum No. 3, s. 1995- Enforcing strict compliance to

Memorandum Order No. 247

Nationalism – It is a desire for political independence and attainment of

freedom.

William Howard Taft – proposed Rizal as our National Hero in 1901

Alejandro Roces – the person who retrieved the stolen original manuscripts of
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Rizalian Anthology – suggested reading material for students with a collection

of Rizal’s literary works that contain the patriotic philosophy excluding the two
novels.

Chapter 2:

Sun Yat Sen – The first president of China and referred to as the “Father of the
Nation” and the “forerunner of democratic revolution”.

Gandhi – employed non-violent civil disobedience, he led India to independence

and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights, and freedom across the
world.

Archbishop Gregorio Meliton Martinez – He was requested by Governor

Izquierdo to degrade the three priests by taking off their priestly habits, but
refused this unholy request and thereby manifesting the Church’s doubt as to
their guilt.

Ho Chi Min – He was employed as a cook on a French steamship liner after

that worked in London and Paris.

General Carlos Maria de la Torre – The fall of Queen Isabella II and the rise of
liberalism in Spain brought a new Spanish governor-general to Manila who is
an able soldier and a true democrat.

Carlism – A legitimist and traditionalist political movement in Spain seeking

establishment of a separate line of the Bourbon family on the Spanish throne.

Ferdinand de Lesseps – Freshman and builder of the Suez Canal

Cadiz Constitution – The most important legacy to the Philippines was the
termination of the oppressive galleon trade because it put an end to the
sufferings of the natives.

Spanish and Chinese mestizos – They were not considered Filipinos during
the Spanish period.

Industrialized Revolution – The economic revolution that changed the

economic system.
The Suez Canal

-an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt

- In 1858, Ferdinand de Lesseps formed the Suez Canal Company for the
express purpose of building the canal.

-Opened on November 17, 1869

-Political views of western liberal thinkers entered Philippines

- Encourages the Illustrado’s to study abroad

Gov. Gen. Carlos Maria De La Torre

• First liberal governor-general in Philippines

• Most beloved Spanish governor-general

• Rules with liberal and democratic governance

Chapter 3:

June 19,2011 – Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary

Jose – The only Rizal among Mercados

Leon Ma. Guerrero – Rizal’s biographer who regarded him as “First Filipino”

Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria – The Governor General who gave the people a list
of Spanish surnames

Concepcion/Concha – Jose’s sister who died at the age of three

Manuel – Jose’s uncle who taught him athletics

Calamba – The town that inspired the young Jose

Teodora Alonso – Jose’s first teacher

Paciano – The only brother of Jose Rizal

Morong – The former name of the province of the Rizal

Dominican friars/priests – The owners of the lands tilled by the Calamba

townsfolk
Historia Sagrado – The Spanish family bible read by the Mercados

Señora – term used by the younger Mercados children in addressing their older
sisters

Sta. Cruz – The town in which Doña Teodora imprisoned

Inquilino – Spanish term for a tenant farmer