Childhood and Early Education (Ellen)

 Due to his poor health Rizal had a personal servants who, after the
daily Angelus, would tell him legends and fairy tales. These stories
made him become interested in myths and folklores.
 As a young boy, Rizal demonstrated and learned easily. He was only
three years old when he learned the alphabet. At a very young age, he
already showed staying in their library at home with his mother.
 Later she felt the need of private tutor for the young Rizal.
 Just like the other children in principalia class, Rizal experienced
education under private tutors.
 After one-and-half hour of travel, they reached the town on board a
carromata. They went to the house of their aunt where Rizal stayed for
more than a year. Before leaving of his brother, Paciano introduced
Rizal to the teacher, Justiniano Aquino Cruz, who was also Paciano’s
former teacher.
 The class, as described by Rizal ( P. Jacinto, 1879 ), was in a nipa
house, about thirty meters away from his aunt’s house. Everyday Rizal
would wake up early and either hear mass at four o’clock in the
morning or study his lesson first and go to mass after.
 After returning home, he would take breakfast and go to class from
which he would come at ten o’clock. He would then again go to school
at two o’clock and come out at five. He would pray with his cousins at
six and then study for a while before going to sleep.
 Rizal’s leisure hours were mostly spent in Juancho’s studio where he
was given free lessons in painting and drawing.
 After receiving a letter from his sister, Saturnina,

Student of Manila (Jovanie)

 He followed the advice of his brother Paciano, to use the name Jose
Rizal instead of Jose Mercado. He feared that Rizal might run into
trouble if it was known openly that they were brothers since Paciano
was known to have links to Jose Burgos one of the leaders of the
secularization movement and one of the priests executed.
 During this time, Ateneo Municipal was known to offer the best
education for boys. Like all colleges in Manila, Ateneo was managed by
priests, but with important difference in the sense that these religious
were not friars but Jesuit Fathers. Students in Ateneo were required to
attend masses in the morning before the start of classes. Ateneo was
 also known for its rigid discipline and religious instruction that trained
student’s character.

 Friars: Typically part of mendicant orders (like the Franciscans or

Dominicans), friars live in community and often take vows of poverty.
They focus on preaching, teaching, and serving the community, and
are often associated with parishes.
 Jesuit Fathers: Members of the Society of Jesus, founded by St.
Ignatius of Loyola. Jesuits emphasize education, scholarship, and
missionary work. They are known for their rigorous academic
standards and involvement in schools, universities, and intellectual
pursuits.
 Student in Ateneo were divided into two groups, the Romans and the
Carthaginians. The Roman Empire was composed of students boarding
at Ateneo while the Carthaginian Empire was composed of non-
boarding students. This grouping was done to stimulate the spirit of
competition among the students.

 Boarding Students: These students live on campus or in school-

owned facilities. They typically receive meals and accommodations as
part of their education experience.
 Non-Boarding Students: These students commute to the school
from home or other places. They do not live on campus and are
responsible for their own meals and accommodations.
 At the start, Rizal lagged behind his classmates but because of his
perseverance and seriousness in studies, he became the “emperor”, a
tide given to the most outstanding student in class, in just a month’s
time ( Zaide & Zaide, 1999).
 Rizal studied at Ateneo from 1872-1877. In those years, he consistently
showed excellence in his academic performance. He passed the oral
examination on March 14, 1877 and graduated with a degree
BACHILLER en ARTES, with the highest honors.
 After finishing Bachiller en Artes, Rizal was sent by Don Francisco to
University of Santo Tomas. Initially, Doña Teodora opposed the idea for
fear of what happened to Gomburza. Despite this Rizal still pursued
university in UST. During his freshman year 1877-1878, he attended
the course of Philosophy and Letters.
 Also in the same year he took up a vocational course in Ateneo that
gave him the title agrimensor expert surveyor issued on November 25,
1881.
 He felt the need to take up this course after learning about his
mother’s failing eyesight.
  Despite this, he was still one of the seven students who remained in
the course in his last year at UST out of the original batch of twenty-
four (Jose, 2011) .

Rizal in Europe (Chrisley)

 On May 3, 1882, Rizal left the Philippines for Spain. In his first
trip abroad, Rizal was very excited to learn new things. He was
only twenty years old and as a young man, he was very
observant and eager to interact with foreign nationals.
 This essay was published on August 20, 1882 in Diariong Tagalog
where he used the pen name Laong Laan
 Rizal decided to move to Madrid where he enrolled in Medicine
and Philosophy and Letters of the Universidad Central de Madrid
(presently the Universidad Complutense de Madrid) on
November 3, 1882.
 He also took lessons in painting and sculpture at the Academia
de San Fernando, and classes in French, English, and German at
the Madrid Ateneo.
 He still managed to enroll in fencing class at the schools of Sanz
and Carbonell.
 Rizal was awarded with the degree and title of Licentiate in
Medicine for passing the medical examinations in June 1884.
With his title, Rizal was able to practice medicine. He continued
enrolling in courses that would have led to a Doctorate in
Medicine but the degree was not given to him because he failed
to pay the fee required to defend his thesis.
 Rizal was already feeling the effort of the difficult economic
situation in Calamba. His family faced financial problem brought
by low crop production because of drought and locusts
aggravated by the hike rentals.
 On the hacienda by the Dominicans. Consequently, there were
delays in his monthly allowance from the Philippines.
 Rizal also took examinations in Greek, Latin, and world history.
He won the first prize in Greek and a grade of “excellent” in
history.
 He also obtained the degree Licenciado en Filisofia y Letras
(Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters) from the Universidad
Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885 with a rating of
sobresaliente.
 Rizal made time for meeting fellow Filipinos in Madrid. Known as
illustrados, these Filipinos (enlightened ones) formed the Circulo
Hispano-Filipino which held informal programs with activities like
poetry-reading and debates. As a result, he wrote Mi Piden
Versos (They Ask Me for Verses).
 In one of the Filipino reunions at the house of Pedro Paterno in
Madrid on January 2, 1884, proposed the writing of a novel about
Philippine society. The group approved the project but his plan
did not write anything so he drafted the novel alone. It was in
Madrid that he was able to write the first half of his novel, Noli
Me Tangere.
 While Madrid, Rizal was exposed to liberal ideas through the
masons that he met. He was impressed with the masons view
about knowledge and reasoning and how they value
brotherhood. He joined the Masonry and became a Master Mason
at the Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890.
 Filipinos in Madrid occasionally visited in Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey,
the former city mayor of Manila under the term of Governor-
General Carlos Maria de la Torre. Rizal joined his fellow Filipinos
at Don Pablo’s house where he met and became attracted to
Consuelo, Don Pablo’s daughter.
 Rizal did not pursue her because of his commitment to Leonor
Rivera. His friend, Eduardo de Lete, was also in love with
Consuelo but did not want to ruin their friendship. In 1883, Rizal
wrote a poem for Consuelo entitled A Señorita C. O. y R.
 Rizal Specialized in Ophthalmology and trained under the
leading ophthalmologist in Europe like Dr. Louis de Weckert of
Paris for whom he worked as an assistant from October 1885 to
March 1886.
 In Germany, he also worked with expert ophthalmologist Dr.
Javier Galezowsky and Dr. Otto Becker in Heidelberg in 1886 and
Dr. R. Schulzur and Dr. Schwiegger in 1887 ( De Vianna, 2011).
 During his stay in Germany, Rizal befriended different scholars
like Fredrich Ratzels, a German historian. Through his friend,
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal was also able to meet Feodor Jagor
and Hans Virchow, anthropologist who were doing studies to
Philippine culture.
 Rizal mastered the German language and wrote a paper entitled
Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art). He also translated
Schiller’s William Tell into Tagalog in 1886. It was also in Berlin
 where he finished Noli Me Tangere which was published on
March21, 1887 with financial help from his friend Maximo Viola.
 After five years in Europe, Rizal went home to Calamba on
August 8, 1887. He spent time with the members of his family
who were delighted to see him again. He also kept himself busy
by opening a medical clinic and curing the sick.
 He came to be known as Doctor Uliman as he was mistaken for a
German. His vacation, however, was cut short because he was
targeted by the friars who were portrayed negatively in his novel
Noli Me Tangere. He left the country for the second time on
February 16,1888.
 Uliman" is derived from the Spanish word "alemán," which
means "German." Rizal was called "Doctor Uliman" as a nod to
his perceived German heritage while he was in Calamba.

Rizal’s Second Trip to Europe (Clent)

 In his second trip, Rizal became more active in the Propaganda
Movement with Fellow illustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce and Trinidad Pardo.

Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, and
Trinidad Pardo were prominent figures in the Philippine Propaganda
Movement:

 Marcelo H. del Pilar: A journalist and editor of the newspaper

Kalayaan, he was a key advocate for reform and nationalism.
 Graciano Lopez Jaena: A writer and orator, he founded La
Solidaridad, the movement's main publication, and was known for his
powerful speeches.
 Antonio Luna: A military leader and tactician during the Philippine-
American War, he also contributed to the movement through his
writings.
 Mariano Ponce: A doctor and writer, he was involved in the
movement as a propagandist and supporter of reforms.
 Trinidad Pardo de Tavera: A physician and historian, he focused on
research and advocacy for Philippine culture and rights.

Together, they aimed to promote awareness and reform in the Philippines

during Spanish colonial rule.

 The Propaganda Movement campaigned for several key reforms:

 1. Province of Spain: This aimed to have the Philippines officially
recognized as a province of Spain, granting native Filipinos equal rights
and privileges as Spanish citizens.
2. Representation in the Spanish Cortes: This sought to secure a
voice for Filipinos in the Spanish legislature, allowing them to advocate
for their interests and rights.
3. Secularization of Parishes: This called for the transfer of control of
parishes from religious orders (like the friars) to the secular clergy,
promoting greater local governance and reducing the influence of
foreign religious figures in Philippine affairs.

 Rizal became preoccupied with writing articles and essays which were
published in the Propaganda Movement’s newspaper, La Solidaridad.
Among his intellectual works in Europe is his Antonid de Morga’s
Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas (1890) in which Rizal showed that even
before coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos already had s developed
culture.
 He also wrote an essay entitled “Sobre la Indonesia de los Filipinos”
(On the Indolence of the Filipinos) published in 1890 in which he
attributed the Filipinos “indolence” to different factors such as climate
and social disorders. Another essay he wrote strongly called for
reforms it was called “Filipinas Dentro De Cein Años” The Philippine a
Century Hence published in parts from 1889 to 1890
 By July 1891, while Brussels, Rizal completed his second novel, El
Filibusterismo, which was published on September 18, 1891 through
the help of his friend, Valentin Ventura. Compared with his Noli, Rizal’s
El Fili was more radical with its narrative portrayed of a society on the
verge of a revolution.
 In 1892, Rizal decided to return to Philippines thinking that the real
struggle was his homeland. In spite of warnings and his family’s
approval, Rizal arrived in the Philippines on June 26, 1892.
Immediately, he visited his friends in Central Luzon and encouraged
them to join the La Liga Filipina, a soci0-civic organization that Rizal
established on July 3, 1892.
 Unfortunately, just a few days after La Liga’s formation, Rizal was
arrested and brought to Fort Santiago on July 6, 1892. He was charged
with bringing with him from Hong Kong leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes
or Poor Friars, a satire against the rich Dominican friars and their
accumulation of wealth which was against their vow of poverty. In spite
of his protests and denial of having those materials, Rizal was exiled to
Dapitan in Mindanao.

Exile in Dapitan (Gemalyn)

 Rizal arrived in Dapitan on board the streamer Cebu on July 17. 1892.
Dapitan is now in Zamboanga Del Norte was a remote town in
Mindanao which served as a politico-military outpost of the Spaniards
in the Philippines.
 "Politico-military" refers to a combination of political and military
governance or authority. In this context, it describes a system where
military presence and power influence political decisions, often seen in
colonial or occupied regions where military officials maintain control
over civilian affairs.
 It was headed by Capitan Recardo Carnicero, who became a friend of
Rizal during his exile. He gave Rizal the permission to explore the place
and required him to report once a week in his office.
 The quite place of Dapitan became Rizal’s home from 1892 to 1896.
Here, he practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, and continued
his artistic pursuits in sculpture, painting, sketching, and writing
poetry. He established a school for boys and promoted community
development projects.
 He also found time to study the Malayan language and other Philippine
language. He engaged himself in farming and commerce and even
invented to wooden machine for making bricks.
 On September 21, 1892, Rizal was won the second prize in a lottery
with Ricardo Carnicero and another Spaniard. He share amounted to
6,200 pesos. A portion of Rizal’s winning’s was used in purchasing land
approximately one kilometer away from Dapitan in a place known as a
Talisay. He built his house on the seashore of Talisay as well as a
school and hospital within the area.
 Relative to Rizal’s project to improve and beautify Dapitan, he made a
big relief map of Mindanao in the plaza and used to it to teach
geography. With this map, which still exist today, he discussed to the
town people the position of Dapitan in relation to order places of
Mindanao.
 Geography is the study of the Earth's landscapes, environments, and
the relationships between people and their environments. It involves
understanding the physical features of the Earth, such as mountains,
rivers, and climates, as well as human activities, cultural landscapes,
and how these elements interact over space and time.
 Assisted by his pupils, Rizal also constructed a water system to supply
the town with water for drinking and irrigation. He also helped the
people in putting up lampposts at every corner of the town.
 Having heard of Rizal’s fame as an ophthalmologist, George Taufer
who was suffering from eye ailment traveled from Hong Kong to
 Dapitan. He was accompanied by his adopted daughter Josephine
Bracken, who eventually fell in love with Rizal. Taufer's visit
significantly impacted Rizal's personal life, as it led to the deepening
relationship between Rizal and Josephine.
 They lived as a husband and wife in Rizal’s octagonal house after being
denied the sacrament of marriage by Father Obach, the parish priest of
Dapitan, due to Rizal’s refusal to retract his statements against the
Church and to accept other condition.
 Father Obach was the parish priest of Dapitan during Rizal's exile. He is
known for denying Rizal and Josephine Bracken the sacrament of
marriage, largely due to Rizal's refusal to retract his criticisms of the
Church. This decision influenced Rizal's personal life while he lived in
Dapitan.
 Rizal's criticisms of the Church focused on its role in Philippine society,
particularly the abuses of power by friars and the Church's influence in
politics and education. He highlighted issues such as corruption, the
hypocrisy of religious leaders, and the need for reform, advocating for
a secular government and the separation of church and state. His
works, especially Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, reflected these
criticisms, portraying the detrimental effects of clericalism on Filipino
society.
 On the eve of June 21, 1896. Dr. Pia Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal in
Dapitan and informed him about the founding of Katipunan and the
planned revolution. Rizal objected to it, citing the importance of a well-
planned movement with sufficient arms.
 Dr. Pio Valenzuela was a Filipino physician and a prominent member of
the Katipunan, the revolutionary organization that sought Philippine
independence from Spanish rule. He played a key role in the early
stages of the revolution and was known for his close association with
both Andres Bonifacio and José Rizal. Valenzuela was instrumental in
spreading revolutionary ideas and participated in various efforts to
mobilize support for the independence movement.
 Meanwhile, Rizal had been sending letters to then Governor General
Ramon Blanco. Twice he sent letters, one in 1897 and another in 1895.
He asked for review of his case. He said that if his request would not
be granted, he would volunteer to serve as surgeon under the Spanish
army fighting in the Cuban revolution.
 Governor General Ramon Blanco was a Spanish colonial administrator
in the Philippines, serving from 1895 to 1896. He is known for his
attempts to implement reforms and maintain order during a
tumultuous period marked by the rise of nationalist movements,
including the struggles led by figures like José Rizal and Emilio
Aguinaldo.
José Rizal's two notable letters to Governor General Ramon Blanco are:

 First Letter (1895): In this letter, Rizal requested a review of his exile
and expressed his desire to contribute positively to society. He sought
leniency, arguing that his work and writings aimed at reform, not
rebellion.
 Second Letter (1897): In this correspondence, Rizal reiterated his
plea for reconsideration of his situation. He offered to serve as a
surgeon in the Spanish army during the Cuban revolution as a
demonstration of loyalty and service to Spain, hoping this would
persuade the authorities to grant his request.
 On July 30, 1896, Rizal’s request to go to Cuba was approved . The
next day , he left for Manila on board the streamer Isla de Punay which
would bring him to Barcelona. Upon arriving at the fort, however
Governor-General Despujol told him that there was an order to bring
him back to Manila. On November 3, 1896, Rizal arrived in Manila and
was immediately brought to Fort Santiago.
 Governor-General Ramón Blanco was succeeded by Governor-General
Diego de los Ríos, who served for a short period before Governor-General
Camilo de Polavieja took over. Despujol, however, was in charge of the
Philippines during a critical time of unrest, particularly with the growing
revolutionary movements against Spanish rule. He is often remembered for
his strict enforcement of colonial policies and his response to the Philippine
Revolution. His administration faced significant challenges, particularly with
the increasing demands for reform and independence among Filipinos.

Trial and Execution (Gemalyn)

 The preliminary investigation of Rizal’s case began on November 20,
1896. He was accused of being the man organizer of the revolution by
having proliferated the ideas of rebellion and of founding illegal
organization. Rizal pleaded not guilty and even wrote a manifesto
appealing to the revolutionaries to discontinue the uprising.
 Proliferated" means to increase rapidly in number or to spread widely.
In the context of Rizal's case, it refers to the accusation that he spread
revolutionary ideas extensively among the population.
 Rizal’s lawyer, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, tried his best to save Rizal.
However, on December 26, 1896, the trial ended and the sentence
was read. Jose Rizal was found guilty and sentenced to death.
