Jose Rizal’s Family Background their community.
They instilled values of hard
work, discipline, and respect in their children.
José Rizal's childhood was marked by a
combination of early intellectual development, Cultural Awareness: His upbringing included
family influence, and a nurturing environment in exposure to Filipino culture through stories,
Calamba, Laguna. Here are some key aspects of myths, and local traditions.
his early life:
Key Events
Early Life and Education
First Tragedy A significant moment in his
Birth: José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in childhood was the death of his favorite sister,
Calamba, Laguna, to Francisco Mercado and Josefa, which deeply affected him.
Teodora Alonso Realonda. He was the seventh
Early Writing: At the age of seven, he wrote a
of eleven children.
comedy for a local fiesta, showcasing his early
Intellectual Development: Rizal displayed a literary talent.
precocious intellect from an early age. He
learned the alphabet at three and could read
and write by five. His mother played a crucial Rizal's childhood experiences laid the
role in his education, teaching him at home. foundation for his future as a national hero and
intellectual leader in the Philippines. His family's
Influential Family Members: His uncles also
support, coupled with his innate curiosity and
contributed to his learning. One uncle taught
talents, shaped his character and aspirations.
him regular lessons, while another helped
develop his physical strength.
Parents
Interests and Activities Francisco Mercado II: José Rizal's father, a well-
Artistic Talent: Rizal showed artistic talent early educated farmer and leaseholder of a hacienda
on, drawing animals and using clay for and rice farm.
modeling. He enjoyed outdoor activities like Teodora Alonso Realonda: His mother, known
riding his pony and playing with his dog. for her intelligence and strong character, was
Literary Pursuits: He was an avid reader and involved in various businesses and had a
developed a love for poetry and literature, significant influence on Rizal's education.
influenced by the books available in his family's Siblings
extensive library.
José Rizal had a total of 11 siblings, comprising:
1. Saturnina: The eldest sister, who married
Personal Traits Manuel Hidalgo; was the disciplinarian and
Character: Despite being physically frail as a considered as Jose’s second mother. Offered her
child, Rizal exhibited a strong will and respect diamond ring to Jose to sustain his needs in
for others. He was known to be well-mannered Europe and sent P100 to Jose for his expenses in
and considerate of adults. studying his doctorate degree.
Social Observations: He frequently visited the 2. Paciano: The only brother, who became a
local church to observe people, which general in the Philippine Revolution. Played a
contributed to his understanding of human significant role in promotion of the Propaganda
behavior and society. Movement’s newspaper, Diariong Tagalog;
joined General Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite after
Family Influence Jose’s execution and was appointed as brigadier
Supportive Environment: The Rizal family was general in the revolutionary forces. He also
part of the "principalia," an aristocratic class in assumed the role of Secretary of Finance in the
Departmental Government of Central Luzon.
3. Narcisa: married Antonio Lopez of Morong, Family Background
she was strict as to the women Jose had eyes
The Rizal family belonged to the "principalia,"
on; it is believed that she could recite Rizal’s
an aristocratic class in their town of Calamba,
poems from memory. Pawned her jewelry and
Laguna. They were known for their hard work
peddled clothes to support Jose’s study in
and frugal living, managing farms that produced
Europe. Took in Don Francisco and Dona
rice, corn, and sugarcane.
Teodora when they were driven out of their
house in Calamba; also let Josephine Bracken
stay even when the rest of the family suspected
her as a spy for the Spanish Friars. Ancestry
4. Olympia: married Silvestre Ubaldo and who Rizal's lineage traces back to Chinese ancestry
died at 32 due to giving birth. Her death through his paternal great-grandfather,
saddened Jose because Olympia was very close Domingo Lam-co, who immigrated to the
to him. Philippines from China. His maternal lineage
included Spanish and Japanese heritage.
5. Lucia: married to Mariano Herbosa was the
sister who received the lamp where the
immortal poem Mi Ultimo Adios was hidden. This rich family background played a significant
Her talents in embroidery, painting, and music role in shaping José Rizal's values and his later
were documented by Jose in his letters and contributions to Philippine society.
writings. One of the trumped-up charges that
gave way for Jose’s exile in Dapitan was the anti- José Rizal, a pivotal figure in Philippine history, is
friar pamphlets that authorities allegedly found renowned for his literary contributions that
in Lucia’s luggage. Her husband was refused a played a significant role in the country's fight for
Catholic burial. Her daughter Delfina helped independence from Spanish colonial rule. His
Marcela Agoncillo make the first Philippine flag works encompass novels, essays, poems, and
in Hongkong. plays that critique societal injustices and
advocate for reform.
6. Maria: married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan,
was the child who immediately preceded Jose in
the order of birth. She is the ascendant of ## Major Literary Works
Gemma Cruz Araneta who was our first Miss
International.
7. Jose ### **1. Noli Me Tángere (1887)**
8. Concepcion: born a year after Jose, died at This novel, meaning "Touch Me Not," serves as
the age of three. a powerful indictment of Spanish colonialism
and the Catholic Church's influence in the
9. Josefa: died a spinster and was the last to die Philippines. It tells the story of Crisostomo
among all the Rizals. She, like Saturnina and Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns to his
Narcisa were very protective of Jose against the homeland after studying abroad, only to
many girls who were the objects of Rizal's confront the corruption and oppression faced
affections. by his countrymen. The book was banned upon
10. Trinidad: was the tenth child. Historically, publication but became instrumental in
she became the custodian of Rizal’s last and awakening national consciousness among
greatest poem. Filipinos.
Right before Jose’s execution, Trinidad and their
mother visited him in the Fort Santiago prison ### **2. El Filibusterismo (1891)**
cell.
A sequel to *Noli Me Tángere*, this novel
11. Soledad: The youngest sibling, who later translates to "The Reign of Greed." It presents a
married Pantaleon Quintero. darker narrative where Ibarra reappears as
Simoun, a wealthy jeweler plotting revenge
against the oppressive regime. The book reflects
Rizal's disillusionment with reform and hints at Rizal had in his thirty-five-year life. He stopped
the revolutionary sentiments brewing in the at nothing when it came to expressing his love
Philippines. not just for his country but also his women. His
travels across the Philippines and the world
swayed him into multifarious relationships that
### **3. Mi Último Adiós (1896)** colored almost half his life. There are nine
women on record. It’s not to say that all those
Written on the eve of his execution, this relationships were serious, but he did pursue
poignant poem expresses Rizal's love for his when he wanted to pursue, cared, at least, and
country and his willingness to sacrifice for its displayed his attentiveness and charm
freedom. It was published posthumously and unapologetically.
has since become a symbol of patriotism in the
Philippines.
He documented his affairs, too, using his much-
praised grandiloquence. And based on those
### **4. Junto Al Pasig (1880)** documents, let’s just say the man is a high-
This one-act play critiques Spanish oppression hiiigh-level bolero. And he wrote them letters (a
through allegorical characters representing dying art, so forgive us waxing poetic about it).
good and evil. It was written for a gala event And let’s not forget he almost fought in a duel
and highlights themes of faith and morality. with the Filipino army general Antonio Luna,
when a drunk Luna made nasty comments
about a girl named Nellie Boustead. He was
### **5. Other Notable Works** grand when he needed to be, and smooth
without trying; an expert playboy—or lover—if
- **Makamisa**: An unfinished novel that you will. Could he be the original GOAT?
critiques religious hypocrisy.
- **El Consejo de los Dioses**: A play reflecting
on Filipino culture and identity. But amidst the flirting, he was a big believer
that women should be empowered. This was
- **Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años**: An essay evident in his essay, “To the Young Women of
predicting the future of the Philippines. Malolos,” which he wrote for the 20 women of
Bulacan who fought to have a night school so
- **Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos**: An
they could study Spanish.
essay addressing the perceived laziness of
Filipinos under colonial rule, arguing it stemmed
from oppressive conditions.
He wrote, in part, “No longer does the Filipina
stand with her head bowed nor does she spend
her time on her knees, because she is quickened
## Impact and Legacy
by hope in the future; no longer will the mother
Rizal's writings not only galvanized the contribute to keeping her daughter in darkness
Philippine nationalist movement but also and bring her up in contempt and moral
established him as a literary icon whose works annihilation. And no longer will the science of
continue to be studied in educational all sciences consist in blind submission to any
institutions across the country. His ability to unjust order, or in extreme complacency, nor
articulate the struggles of Filipinos against will a courteous smile be deemed the only
colonial oppression has made his literature weapon against insult or humble tears the
timeless, influencing generations of writers and ineffable panacea for all tribulations.”
activists.
A supporter of women empowerment—who
has that swagger? It’s not so hard to imagine
anyone flirting back after he inks his first
All the girls Rizal loved before
sentence.
It can only be with true passion that one can
conquer and accomplish what Filipino hero Jose
As proof of his “ways,” here are the recorded Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place
stories of the nine women of Dr. Jose Rizal. of the students in the area.
1 Segunda Katigbak There are, however, documents that may serve
as proof that Rizal’s efforts were not effective.
First love never dies they say—unless your first
Some accounts say he was courting Leonor
love is already engaged to be married when you
Valenzuela and and his second cousin Leonor
meet. Then you have to let it go really fast. Such
Rivera at the same time—thus the need for
was the case of Jose Rizal and Segunda
invisible letters. (Still, we need to appreciate the
Katigbak, a Batangueña, whom Rizal met when
effort that went with it.) Rivera apparently knew
he was only a 16-year-old boy.
of this and gave way to Rivera’s attraction for
They met when the young hero visited his Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was
grandmother with his friend, Mariano Katigbak, said that he did say goodbye to Orang, but kept
Segunda’s brother. The Katigbaks were close to in touch with the help of Rizal’s close friend,
Rizal’s grandmother, and coincidentally, Segunda Jose “Chenggoy” Cecilio.
was at the grandma’s house when Rizal and
Mariano arrived. It was attraction at first sight.
Segunda was also a close friend of Rizal’s sister, Chenggoy was the ultimate teaser—and maybe
Olympia, whom he visited every week at the La wingman?—who was amused with the “rivalry”
Concordia College. The two became very close. of the namesakes. On one of Chenggoy’s letters
However, Segunda was already engaged to be to Rizal, he wrote, “…nagpipilit ang munting
married to a man who lived in her town, and kasera (Leonor Rivera) na makita si Orang, pero
Rizal had to stop pursuing her. dahil natatakpan ng isang belong puti, hindi
naming nakilala nang dumaan ang prusisyon sa
Rizal wrote about the incident years later,
tapat ng bahay. Sinabi sa akin ni O(rang) na
“Ended, at an early house, my first love! My
sabihin ko raw sa munting kasera na hindi siya
virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step
kumakaribal sa pag-iibigan ninyo. Que gulay,
it took on the flower-decked abyss. My illusions
tukayo, anong gulo itong idinudulot natin sa
will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready
mga dalagang ito!” (Manebog 2013)
for the first betrayal on the path of love.”
Lest it be forgotten, while he was pursuing the
Our heartache-filled, hugot-induced breakup
two Leonors, Rizal was in Europe taking courses
films would be put to shame.
in medicine at Universidad Central de Madrid
and painting at Real Academia de Bellas Artes
de San Fernando in Calle Alcala. Maybe he still
2 Leonor Valenzuela had time on his hands?
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s second 3 Leonor Rivera
object of affection, is literally the girl-next-door.
They met when Rizal was a sophomore medical Leanor Rivera and Jose Rizal lived the tragedies
student at the University of Santo Tomas, during of Shakespeare’s poems.
which time he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s
They met when Rizal was 18 and Leonor was 13,
boarding house in Intramuros, Manila. Orang,
at the boarding house of Rizal’s uncle in
who was then 14 years old, was his neighbor.
Intramuros, Manila. Leonor was Rizal’s second
During the courtship, Rizal was said to have sent cousin.
Leonor private and secret love letters, which he
It was a perfect love story in the beginning: he,
wrote using invisible ink made with water and
the intelligent charmer, and she, the beautiful
salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To read
student who had a beautiful singing voice and
the letters, Orang had to heat the letter over a
was a talented piano player. Soon, they fell in
candle or a lamp. (How did we get from this
love. But as tragic love stories go, they were
intricate, labored way of courting someone to
besieged by obstacles. Leonor’s parents highly
pressing that heart icon on Instagram? Just
disapproved of their relationship as they were
wondering.) Rizal also frequented the
wary of Rizal being a “filibuster.” In his letters, Although most accounts say the dalliance didn’t
Rizal called Leonor “Taimis” to hide her identity. turn serious, Rizal wrote a poem for her,
entitled, “A La Señorita C.O.y.P.” Of course, these
Before leaving for Europe in 1882, Rizal said that
days, when you write a poem for someone,
he had found the woman he wanted to marry.
that’s like a marriage proposal. In the end,
But even his brother, Paciano Rizal, disagreed
Consuelo got engaged to Rizal’s friend, Eduardo
with the idea, saying that it would be unfair to
de Lete. It is said that Eduardo’s love for
Leonor if he were to leave her behind after
Consuelo was also the reason Rizal didn’t
getting married.
pursue the mestiza. Or maybe, in modern
But their love—as young loves are—wanted to parlance, theirs was a classic case of a rebound
go against all that stood in the way. Although fling.
they did not get married, they tried to continue
5 Seiko Usui
sending each other love letters, a lot of which
were intercepted and kept hidden by Leonor’s In many of his diary entries, Rizal wrote about
mother. In 1890, Leonor wrote a letter to Rizal how he was charmed by Japan’s beauty,
saying that she was engaged to be married to a cleanliness, and peace and order. But if there
British engineer named Henry Kipping. That was one thing that almost kept him in the
same year, the wedding pushed through. country where cherry blossoms bloom most
beautiful, it was a woman named Seiko Usui,
Upon the coercion of her mother, Leonor
affectionately called O-Sei-San.
burned Rizal’s letters to her—but it was said she
kept the ashes of those letters. A story goes that It was in 1888. Rizal had just arrived in Japan
she hid some of these ashes in the hem of her from Hongkong upon an invitation to take a job
wedding gown. offer at the Spanish Legation. One day, while he
was in the office grounds, he saw O-Sei-San
But their dark romance didn’t end there.
walk past the legation’s gate and was
In 1893, Leonor died during second childbirth. immediately enthralled by her beauty. With the
Documents show that when Rizal heard of the help of a Japanese gardener, he asked to be
news through his sister, Narcisa, he didn’t speak introduced to the woman who captured his eyes
for a few days. It is believed that Rizal —and the gardener acquiesced. Rizal spoke little
immortalized Leonor through the character Japanese at the time, so the gardener had to
Maria Clara in Noli Me Tangere. Like we said, it’s serve as a translator. However, a few minutes
a Shakespearean kind of dark—and no love into the conversation, they both found O-Sei-
story is more intense than the one that lost the San spoke English and French, which was a relief
battle with circumstances. as Rizal spoke both languages. When the
language barrier broke, they started to build a
relationship.
4 Consuelo Ortega Y Rey
Consuelo Ortega Y Rey was the daughter of Don As days went by, O-Sei-San taught Rizal the ways
Pablo Ortiga Y Rey, who was Mayor of Manila of the Japanese. They went gallivanting, visiting
when Maria dela Torre was the governor. While museums, galleries, and universities. They
Rizal was in Madrid, he would hang out at Don talked about the arts and culture, switching
Pablo’s house, which became a place where their language from French to English and back
Filipino students would often get together. as they pleased. Their love was childlike and
Through one of these gatherings, Rizal met spirited. According to many accounts, Rizal was
Consuelo. ready to move to Japan, stay with O-Sei-San,
He showed affection towards Consuelo but was and live a peaceful life with his love.
not serious in his pursuit as he was still engaged Unfortunately for this relationship, country-
to Leonor Rivera at the time. Yes, he loved the saving duties would call and he had to leave
company of women, but during that brief Japan for San Francisco. He never saw O-Sei-San
period, he too was lonely and yearning for the again. Their affair lasted for around two months.
physical void left by Leonor. It’s shorter than an average season of a Netflix
series, but you know Rizal and his intensity.
for a few months, left, and never returned.
Maybe she got the point after that.
6 Gertrude Beckett
In the same year he began and ended his
relations with O-Sei-San, our JR, then 27, went 8 Nellie Boustead
to London and met a woman named Gertrude
Remember that famous time when Antonio
Beckett, the eldest daughter of his landlord.
Luna and Jose Rizal almost got into a duel
Gertrude showered Rizal with all the love and
because of a girl? The girl in the middle of that
attention of a girl who is hopelessly in love. She
madness was Nellie Boustead. Rizal and Nellie
even assisted Rizal as he finished some of his
met in Biarritz, where Nellie’s wealthy family
popular sculptures, “Prometheus Bound,” “The
hosted Rizal’s stay at their residence on the
Triumph of Death over Life,” and “The Triumph
French Riviera. Before Biarritz, Rizal already
of Science over Death.” He called her Gettie, she
made friends with the Boustead family a few
called him Pettie. But all documents lead to say
years back, and even played fencing with Nellie
one thing: the feelings weren’t mutually shared.
and her sister.
During his stay at the beautiful Biarritz vacation
In 1889, Rizal left London, and left Gettie a home, Rizal learned of Leonor Rivera’s
composite carving of the heads of the Beckett engagement and thought of pursuing a romantic
sisters. Marcelo del Pilar, Rizal’s friend, said Rizal relationship with Nellie, who was classy,
left London to move away from Gertrude, educated, cheerful, and athletic. After
whose idea of their relationship was more than strengthening their relationship, Rizal wrote
what it really was—the most tormenting kind: letters to his friends, telling them about his
an unrequited love. intention to marry her. They were all supportive,
including Antonio Luna.
Although they seemed like the ideal couple,
7 Suzanne Jacoby
marriage for Rizal was still not meant to be.
Maybe Rizal was repulsed with the idea of First, Nellie’s mother did not think Rizal had the
having an idle mind. With all the loneliness and resources to be a good provider for her
anxiety from the turmoil of his country and daughter. Second, Nellie wanted Rizal to convert
family, he was even able to fill his resting to Protestantism. Rizal refused. But their
moments learning new things—like flirting with friendship must have been strong enough
women. When he arrived in Belgium in 1890, he because they ended up being friends after all
lived at a boarding house that was run by two the drama.
sisters whose last name was Jacoby. The sisters
Before Rizal left Paris in 1891, Nellie wrote him a
had a niece named Suzanne. You probably can
letter: “Now that you are leaving I wish you a
guess now what happens with Rizal and his
happy trip and may you triumph in your
caretaker’s kin. If it’s not a neighbor, it’s a
undertakings, and above all, may the Lord look
caretaker’s kin. Are we seeing a trend here?
down on you with favor and guide your way
Obviously the guy is too busy to explore beyond
giving you much blessings, and may your learn
a one-kilometer radius.
to enjoy! My remembrance will accompany you
The relationship was probably a fling, too, as as also my prayers.”
Rizal made no mention of Suzanne when he
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you
wrote letters to his friends about his stay in
become friends with your ex.
Belgium. Rizal left the country in August that
year. Suzanne was heartbroken. Rizal continued
writing El Filibusterismo, writing for La
9 Josephine Bracken
Solidaridad, and worrying about his family back
home. It was said that Suzanne wrote Rizal Josephine Bracken was the woman who stayed
letters. Rizal may have replied once. In 1891, with Rizal until his execution in 1896. She was
Rizal went back to Belgium—not for Suzanne— also, allegedly, the woman whom Rizal married.
but to finish writing El Filibusterismo. He stayed However, accounts of their marriage have been
much-debated over the years.
Josephine was the adopted daughter of one
George Taufer, whom she lived with in
Hongkong for years before she needed to seek
help from an ophthalmologist due to George’s
blindness. They then sought the help of Jose
Rizal, who was already exiled in Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte at the time. Rizal and
Josephine fell in love and in a month made the
announcement that they wanted to get
married. But just like the other Rizal great loves,
this one was once again complicated. No priest
would marry the two, for reasons that are still
unclear—but perhaps it was because of Rizal’s
status in politics. Without a legal paper, Rizal
and Josephine lived together, and had a son,
who died a few hours after birth. Rizal named
his son after his father, Francisco.
Up to this day, there is no legal proof that
Josephine and Rizal ever got married.
In retrospect, maybe Rizal was not meant for a
long commitment, like marriage—with all his
travels and freedom-fighting obligations. Maybe
heroes can only be alone with their thoughts.
Left alone, they will naturally think too much,
and thinking for an entire country, we assume,
can be exhausting. Maybe Rizal just always
needed a companion.
But if there’s one thing his dalliances and
longings and pursuits remind us, it is that heroes
are humans, too. Humans have needs. And he
did die for our country. He gets a pass—even
when he was a master in ghosting.
