RIZAL LAW R.A.

1425

Author: Claro M. Recto

Sponsor the Bill in the Senate: Jose P. Laurel

Signed into law on: June 12, 1956

What is RA 1425?

 known as Rizal Law

 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 Filibusterismo.

 composed of 6 sections.

Objectives of the Law:

 to enrich the minds of the youth about the history of the Philippines

 to appreciate Rizal's ideals and teachings in relation to the present conditions of our country and apply in current social
problems/issues

 to foster the development of the Filipino youth

Highlights of the R.A. 1425:

1. The study of Rizal’s life, works and writings to bring about nationalism among students;

2. The inclusion of works of Rizal in college curriculum particularly the study of his novels-Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo;

3.The inclusion also of other works of Rizal such as letters, paintings, and travels;

4. Funding of the law in order to give supplemental copies of the novels among public libraries; and

5. The implementation of the law.

ANALYSIS ON RIZAL LAW

•The adoption of the study of Jose Rizal ’s life, works and writings in colleges and universities both public and private is
mandated by law;

•The study of Rizal ’s works particularly his two important novels and other works as well as its translations in Filipino
and English should be implemented by the government;

•In fostering nationalism among youth, Rizal course can give a wide range of thoughts on how Rizal and other heroes
fought for freedom for the sake of the country ’s necessity to survive against evil imperialism.

Brief history of R.A. 1425

•Birth of the Noli (1884)

•Purpose: “I have tried to do what no man has been willing to do..I have described the state of society…I have unmasked
the hypocrisy, which under the cloak of religion, came among us to impoverish…I have unveiled what lay hidden behind
the deceptive and brilliant words of our government: I have told to our compatriots of our culpable and shameful
complacence with miseries…the facts which I have related are all true and real; I can give proof of them..” --- Jose Rizal

Initial reaction to the Noli

•The Dominican Archbishop, Pedro Payo, ordered a review of the novel.

•Result: it is HERETICAL, IMPIOUS, AND SCANDALOUS IN THE RELIGIOUS ORDER, AND ANTIPATRIOTIC, SUBVERSIVE OF
THE PUBLIC ORDER, OFFENSIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN.

ATTACKS ON THE NOLI

•Fr. Salvador Font – distributed pamphlets in which he enunciated the attacks that Rizal allegedly had made on the
different aspects of the Spanish colonial setup.

•Governor Valeriano Weyler (Butcher of Cuba)- mere possession of the book (NOLI) will be prosecuted.

•Friar Jose Rodriguez – issued a series of pamphlets that discussed the dangers in reading such impious books as the
Noli. And he put forward some threatening questions such as “Why should I read them?” “Beware of Them? ” And “
What do you think of plaque?” “Änd confenssion or damnation?”

Defenses of the Noli

•Marcelo H. del Pilar – circulated his own pamphlets, written in Tagalog, the cover was similar to that of the pamphlets
of Fr. Rodriguez but its content was exact opposite.

•Fr. Vicente Garcia – argued that Rizal ’s novel must be viewed as a literary work, not as a doctrine. He considered the
book as neither heretical nor blasphemous.

•Jose Rizal – for all its faults has served my purpose…it has struck the head of that two-faced Goliath that in the
Philippines is called friar rule and mal-administration … my book has not yet been judged and cannot be judged (rightly)
because its effects are still being felt. When men it pillories have disappeared from the country ’s political life, when a
generation arises which does not itself participate in these present crimes…..

THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

•It was published in the late 1891 in Europe and circulated in the Philippines. And like the Noli, this book also received
attack; consequently, the author himself also received the same fate.

•The governor-general commented on the Fili that it was dedicated to the three priests(GOMBURZA), this made Rizal to
be sentences with deportation.

RIZAL’S DEFENSE ON THE FILI

•“with the sincerity and impartiality of which a man is capable of looking into his past … what there was, was a clear-
sighted look at the realities in my native country,…but now I see what I call a “novel” come true so exactly that I can say
that I am at present the enactment of this work and taking part in it.” Here Rizal was not only an actor but also a victim.

The Rizal Bill of 1956

•Senator Claro M. Recto authored the Senate Bill No. 438 in which he claimed that, “ a constant and inspiring source of
patriotism with which the minds of the youth. Especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be
suffused.”

Senate bill no.438-debate

•The debate between the proponents and the opponents of the Bill rose to a high level of emotionalism and ardent
patriotism. Verbal jousts (combat), hecklers (those who harass) in the gallery, rising blood pressure, fistfights between
two hotheaded representatives.

The opponents' side

•Catholic Action of the Philippines;

•Congregation of the Missions;

•Knights of Columbus;

•Catholic Teachers Guild

Opponents' argument

•They argued that the Bill violated religious freedom. Their question was: “Why compel students to read these books
when some passages in them are harmful to their faith?”

•Fr. Jesus Cavana, after reviewing the novels, found out that a 332-page edition of the Noli contains 120 pages of
antiCatholic statements and only contains 25 pages of patriotic pages.

•“The Noli and Fili are books of the past, by the past. While they have their place in the Philippine history, they certainly
are inadequate Bible of Philippine nationalism today.”

•“Rizal is dead. Why should he be roused from his sleep? Let him rest in peace.”

The Proponents’ side

•Revolutionary Veterans known as the ‘Spirit of 1896’

•Alagad ni Rizal

•Freemasons

•Book Lovers Society

Proponents' argument

•They argued that the “ opponents of the Bill were in effect condemning Rizal ’s patriotic writings to oblivion, by
preventing the Filipino youth from reading them. This was worse than what the friars had done; it was tantamount to
executing Rizal a second time.”

•One veteran claimed that he had risked death just to be able to read the novels of Rizal at the time when the
Philippines was not yet free.

•“ My loyalty to religion ends where my loyalty to my country begins.”

•The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools …would blot out from our minds the memory of
the national hero…now that Rizal is dead and they can no longer attempt at his life, they are attempting to wipe out his
memory.” (Claro M. Recto)

•Catholic schools threatened to close shop if the Rizal Bill was passed. Recto calmly told them to go ahead because then,
the state could nationalized them. Some church bigwigs even threatened to ‘ punish ’ erring legislators in future
elections, but Recto simply undaunted. Here was one man willing to risk losing votes because of his principles; this is
what I admire so much in Recto. (A. Ocampo)

End of the debate

•Senator Jose Laurel modified the Bill to accommodate the objection of the church…

•Compulsory for all public and private schools, colleges, and universities to include in their curricula courses on the LIFE,
WORKS, and WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, particularly the Noli and Fili, in their original and unexpurgated versions.
However, it allowed exemptions from reading such versions for reasons of religious belief.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Rizal’s Childhood

In Calamba, Laguna 19 June 1861, Jose Rizal, the seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso y Quintos,
was born in Calamba, Laguna. 22 June 1861. He was baptized JOSE RIZAL MERCADO at the Catholic of Calamba by the
parish priest Rev. Rufino Collantes with Rev. Pedro Casañas as the sponsor.

The parochial church of Calamba and the canonical books, including the book in which Rizal’s baptismal records were
entered, were burned. (September 28, 1862)

Barely three years old, on 1864, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother, who served as his first teacher. His father
hired a classmate by the name of Leon Monroy who, for five months until his (Monroy) death, taught Rizal the rudiments
of Latin.

On 1865, his sister Conception, the eight child in the Rizal family, died at the age of three. It was on this occasion that
Rizal remembered having shed real tears for the first time.

At about this time two of his mother’s cousin frequented Calamba. Uncle Manuel Alberto, seeing Rizal frail in body,
concerned himself with the physical development of his young nephew and taught the latter love for the Open air and
developed in him a great admiration for the Beauty of nature, while Uncle Gregorio, a scholar, instilled into the mind of
the boy love for education.

In 1869 at the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem Entitled “Sa Aking Mga Kabata.“ The poem was written in Tagalog
and had for its theme “Love of One’s Language.

First School

One Sunday afternoon in June, 1869, Jose and his brother Paciano left Calamba for Binan. The next morning (Monday)
Paciano brought Jose to the school of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.

In the afternoon of his first day in school, Jose met the bully, Pedro. He was angry at this bully for making fun of him
during his conversation with the teacher. Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. Jose, having learned the art of wrestling from
his athletic Tio Manuel, defeated the bigger boy.
After the class, a classmate named Andres Salandanan challenged him to an arm-wrestling match. Jose, having the
weaker arm, lost and nearly cracked his head on the sidewalk.

Near the school was the house of an old painter, called Juancho. Jose spent hours at the painter’s studio. Juancho freely
gave him lessons in drawing and painting. Jose and his classmate, Jose Guevarra, who also loved painting, became
apprentices of the old painter.

In academic studies, Jose beat all Binan boys. He surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects. They were all
jealous of his intellectual superiority.

Before the Christmas season in 1870, Jose received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of the arrival of the
steamer Talim which would take him from Binan to Calamba. He left Binan on Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870.

The Gomburza’s martyrdom was deeply mourned by the Rizal family especially Paciano and many other patriotic families
in the Philippines.

(Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora), despite the archbishop’s plea for clemency because of their innocence, were executed at
sunrise, February 17, 1872, by the order of Governor General Izquierdo.

Ateneo Municipal

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.

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. Because of the unfriendly attitude of his professors
towards Filipino students, Rizal failed to win high scholastic honors.

Rizal’s Decision to Study Abroad

On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Central Universidad 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."

Central Unibersidad de Madrid. Where Rizal continued his studies abroad

The Secret Mission

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.
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.

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.

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.

The Exile

Rizal was exiled in Dapitan. During this time, Rizal won a Lottery. He used his winning to purchase a land which made him
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.

Houses built for Rizal in Dapitan which served as his Home,

This house was intended to be a house where Rizal would stay with his sisters during their regular visit. A house for
Rizal’s students to learn.

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.

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.

Martyrdom

On November 3, Rizal came back to the Philippines via Colon steamship, And the Preliminary Investigation for Rizal
started. Evidences were presented both testimonial and documentary. With his defender, Don Luis Taviel de Andrade,
Rizal was given the right to create his own defense council.

In his prison cell (Fort Santiago), 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.

On December 28, 1896, Gov. Polavieja approved the decision of the court martial and ordered at Bagumbayan field (now
Luneta)
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.

Attributes to Rizal

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.

In the 15th century, Philippines was invaded by Spain and reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898.
Their coming changed our history because of THREE REASONS:

1. Through Spain, we became CATHOLIC.

2. We got new and more advanced culture from Europe and Mexico.

3. But for the first time, WE LOST OUR FREEDOM or INDEPENDENCE.

Spanish Colonial Government

Spain reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898.

Since Spain was far from the country, the Spanish king ruled the Islands through the viceroy of Mexico, which was then
another Spanish colony.

KING OF SPAIN →VICEROY OF MEXICO →PHILIPPINES

When Mexico regained its freedom in 1821, the Spanish king ruled the 5 Philippines through a Governor General, (GG).

KING OF SPAIN →King Philipal of Spain →GOVERNOR GENERAL →PHILIPPINES

Spain establish a centralized colonial government in the Philippines that was composed of a NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
and the LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL

>The King's representative and the Highest-ranking official in the Philippines

>Royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were implemented in the Philippines
>Had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those personally chosen by the King

REQUIREMENT:

Must be a PENINSULARES or A SPANIARD BORN IN SPAIN

Some important GGs

1st: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

2nd: Guido de Lavezares (replaced Legazpi)
Last: Diego de los Rios

THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE

The Governor General

The Governor General and other government officials had so much power that it was commonly abused.
To investigate the abuses, there were bodies created:

THE RESIDENCIA, THE VISITA, THE ROYAL AUDENCIA

The Residencia

This was a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a Governor General who was about to be replaced.
General was usually a member, submitted a report of its findings to the King.

The Visita

The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called the VISITADOR GENERAL to observe conditions in the
colony.
The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the King.

The Royal Audencia

The highest court in the land

Served as an advisory body to the Governor General
Had the power to check and report on his abuses
The Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the colonial government

The Provincial Government

The Spaniards created Local Government Units (LGU) for the provinces

There were two types of local government units:

ALCALDIA → Alcalde Mayor

CORRIGIMIENTO →Corregidor

The ALCADIA, led by the Alcalde Mayor governed the provinces that had been fully subjugated:

UNDER SPANISH CONTROL ALREADY SALARY: P300 A MONTH

DUTIES OF THE ALCALDE MAYOR:

They represented the Spanish king and the Governor-General

They managed the day-to-day operations of the provincial government
Implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes

The ALCADIA and the CORREGIMIENTO

Though they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges such as the INDULTO DE COMERCIO or the right to
participate in the GALLEON TRADE

THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by GOBERNADORDCILLOS (Little Governor)

MAIN DUTIES: Efficient governance and tax collection.

Four lieutenants aided the Governardorcillo:

the Teniente Mayor (chief lieutenant),
the Teniente de Policia (police lieutenant),
the Teniente de Sementeras (lieutenant of the fields)
the Teniente de Ganados (lieutenant of the livestock)

GOBERNADORDCILLOS

They had SMALL SALARIES but were exempted from PAYING TAXES

QUALIFICATIONS:

Any NATIVE or CHINESE MEZTIZO

25 years old
Literate in ORAL or WRITTEN SPANISH
* Cabeza de Barangay for 4 years
Ex: Emilio Aguinaldo

CABEZA DE BARANGAY OR (Barrio Administrator or Barangay Captain)

-Responsible for the peace and order of the barrio

-Recruited men for public works

QUALIFICATIONS:

Cabezas should be literate in Spanish

Have good moral character and property
Cabezas who served for 25 years were exempted from forced labor

THE CITY GOVERNMENT

Larger towns became cities called: AYUNTAMIENTO

It became the center of trade and industry.
The ayuntamiento had a city council called the CABILDO

CABILDO is composed of:

ALCALDE (MAYOR)
REGIDORES (COUNCILLORS)
ALGUACIL MAYOR (POLICE CHIEF)
ESCRIBANDO (SECRETARY)

Economic life under Spain

Our development during that time was slow.

Economic Changes by Spain

New way of land ownership

Encomienda system
Tribute
Polo of forced labor
Abolition of slavery
Galleon Trade and annual subsidy from mexico
Introduction of new plants and animals

The Evils of the Spanish Colonial System:

The main source of the abuses in the country was the appointment of officials who were immoral, corrupt, unqualified
for the position, and lacking dedication to duty.

The following were the evils of the Spanish colonial rule in the country.

1. The Encomienda System

It came from the word “encomendar”, meaning to commend or entrust to one’s care.
It involved the granting of lands to certain individuals who had rendered great services to Spain.
The person in charge of the land was called encomendero.

2. The Tribute

The Filipinos paid tribute as a symbol of vassalage to Spain.

It consisted of 8 reales (1 peso), payable in kind or money.
In 1851, it increased to 12 reales.
In 1884, the cedula replaced the reales.

3. The Polo (Forced Labor)

It was instituted in 1580 and imposed on the Filipinos (except the chieftains and their sons).
The Filipinos were required to serve 40 days in the forced labor pool or the polo.
It was reduced to 15 days only in 1884.

4. Bandala

It was the annual quota assigned to each province wherein everyone had to make a compulsory sale of their products to
the government.
It was introduced by governor general Hurtado de Corcueta in the first half of the 17th century.

5. Divide and Rule

The recruitment of the natives in one region to support the military in putting down revolts in another region.

6. Guardia Civil

They were supposed to maintain peace and order in the Philippine islands but they abused their power instead.

7. Denial of Human Rights and Inequality Before the Law

8. Racial Discrimination

9. Frailocary

The granting of the friars to govern the country indirectly.

Women in Rizal’s Life

Who are the Women who Caught his Heart?

1. Segunda Katigbak
2. Leonor Valenzuela
3. Leonor Rivera
4. Consuelo Ortiga
5. O Sei San
6. Gertrude Beckett
7. Nellie Bousted
8. Suzanne Jacoby
9. Josephine Bracken
Segunda Katigbak Rizal

was his 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 ..

“ Mapupula ang kaniyang pisngi, may kahali-halinang ngiti, at para siyang ada, ang buong katauhan niya ’ y may di-
maipaliwanag na bighani.” -Jose Rizal

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.

Isa siyang matangkad na dalagang napakaganda ng tindig. ” — Jose Rizal

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.

‘Maganda siya, mayumi gaya ng namumukadkad na bulaklak, na may mabubuting mata. ” — Jose Rizal

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 his friendship with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love with Consuelo.

“Ang kanyang ganda ay nakaka akit. ” — Jose Rizal

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.

“Ikaw ang kulay ng kamelya, ang pagkasariwa nito, ang pagiging elegante. O-Sei-San — Sayonara! Sayonara! — Jose Rizal

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.

A blue eye 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.

“Siya ay isang dalagang may asul na mga mata, mapupulang pisngi at buhok na kulay-kayumanggi.” – Jose Rizal

Nellie Bousted

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 Boustead's, 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

‘Isa siyang dalagang tunay na matalino, masayahin at matwid.”— Jose Rizal

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.

“Isa siyang dalagang tunay na matalino, masayahin at matuwid” — Jose Rizal

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 Hong 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.

“Siya ay balingkinitan, may buhok na kulay kastanyas, asul na mga mata, simpleng manamit, at masayahin. ”— Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal’s Education

The Hero’s First Teacher

The first teacher of Rizal was his mother. He learned the alphabet and prayers at theage of three. As a tutor, Doña
Teodora was patient, conscientious and understanding. She first discovered that her son had a talent.

She related many stories to lighten the monotony of memorizing the ABC’s and to stimulate her son’s imagination.

Rizal’s parents employed privatetutors to give him lessons at home.

Maestro Celestino — First tutor

Maestro Lucas Padua — Second tutor (Arithmetic)

Leon Monroy

A former classmate of Rizal’s father. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. He
did not lived long and died five months later.

After Monroy’s death, the parents of Rizal decided to/send him to a private school

Rizal Moves to Binan

Sunday afternoon of June 1869, Rizal left Galamba to move in Binan. Paciano accompanied Rizal in his trip on board a
carromata. Their travel lasted for one and a half hour. Then proceed to their Aunt’s house, where Rizal was to lodge.
First Day at the Village School

He was accompanied again by Paciano to the village school under the charge of Maestro Justiniano Cruz, Paciano’s
teacher during his elementary school days.

After the class in the afternoon, his classmate named Andres Salandanan challenged him to an arm-wrestling match.

In succeeding days he had other fights with the boys of Binan. He was not quarrelsome by nature, but he never ran.

Academic Studies at the Village School

Even at this level of education, Rizal was able to demonstrate his intellectual superiority-— the best in his class in Latin,
Spanish, and the rest of the subjects.

Because of this, he was the object of jealousy by his classmates; and thus ade to look bad in front of the Maestro and
was punished.

Academic Instruction at the Village School

He did not enjoy his schooling at the village school, under Maestro Justiniano Cruz. He did not even like his teacher, who
he described as tall with a long neck and sharp nose and a body bent.

End of Schooling at the Village School

He then returned to Calamba after receiving a letter from his sister Saturnina.

By December 17, 1870, he was able to return to his hometown.

He went home by boarding a steamship named Talim.

STUDIES AT ATENEO AND UST

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS — ATENEO DE MANILA(1872-1877)

Jose was sent to Manila four months after the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona Teodora still in prison. He
studiedin the Ateneo Municipal, a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.

Bitter rival of the Dominican owned College of San Juan de Letran

Formerly the Escuela School)- for poor boys in established in 1817

In 1859- name was changed to Ateneo Municipaly the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila

Rizal Enters at Ateneo

Jose, accompanied by Paciano,went Manila to take the’ entrance examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and
reading at the College of San Juan de Letran, and passed them.

His father was the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he changed his mind and decided to send Jose at
Ateneo instead.

Father Magin Ferrando, college registrar of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because:
He was late for registration and;

He was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years old)

Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo.

Jose adopted thesurname +Rizal’ at the Ateneo because their family name #Mercado’ had come under suspicion of the
Spanish authorities.

Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min walk
fromthe college.

The boarding house was owned by Titay, who owd Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of the debt.

JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities and religious instruction. They heard Mass
early in the morning before the beginning of daily class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers

Students were divided into two groups:

Roman Empire

Carthaginian Empire

Each empire had its rank. Students fought for positions, with 3 mistakes, opponents position could lose his position.

1s‘ Best: Emperor

2™ Best: Tribune
3™ Best: Decurion
4" Best: Centurion
5 Best: Standard – Bearer

RIZAL’S FIRTST YEAR IN ATENEO(1872-1873)

Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.

Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he was a newcomer and knows little Spanish.

He was an externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month, he become ‘emperor’ of
his Empire.

He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a prize, a religious prize.

Rizal took private lessons in Isabel College during noon recesses to improve his Spanish language paying three pesos for
those extra lessons.

Rizal’s Summer Vacation (1873)

Rizal didn’t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so Neneng(Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan.

But without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz to visit her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades.
After summer, he returned to Manila and now boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay, who
had a widowed daughter and 4 sons, was his landlady.

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-1874)

At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- the first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on him

Universal History by Cesar Cantu- Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that was a great aid in
his studies

Dr. Feodor Jagor- a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines in 1859-1860 who wrote Travels in the
Philippines

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects but he won only one medal in Latin

At the end of the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation. He himself was not
impressed by his scholastic work.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-1876)

June 16, 1875 – Rizal became an interno in Ateneo

Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who inspired him to study
harder and to write poetry

Rizal described this Jesuiot professor as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils”

Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term.

LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-1877)

Rizal- The most brilliant Atenean of his time, and was truly 3the pride of the Jesuits

Graduate with Highest Honor March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the
degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.

The night before graduation, he could not sleep. Early morning on the day of his graduation, he prayed to the Virgin to
commend his life and protect him as he step into the world.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO

He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation a religious society. He was accepted because of his
academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the college patroness.

He is also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

He studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous painter, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus.
He continued his physical training under hi sports-minded Tio Manuel.

SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO

He carved an image piece of Batikuling (Phillipine hardwood) his pocket-knife. The Jesuitsfathers were amazed.

Father Lleonart requested him to carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended to take the image
with him in Spain but forgot to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it on the door of their dormitory. It plays a
significant part in Rizal’s last hours at Fort Santiago.

VICTIM OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY

Setting: Dark night, summer vacation 1878. Calamba

He passed by a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil but failed to recognize the latter.

Insulted, the lieutenant slashed Jose’s back with his sword.

Jose reported to General Primo de Rivera, Spanish governor general, but no resolution was done because of racial
discrimination.

March 21, 1887: “I went to the Captain-General but I could not obtain justice; my wound lasted two weeks.”

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (1879)

Literary contest by Artistico-Literario (Artisitic- Literary Lyceum)

Rizal, 18 years old, submitted his poem entitled A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)

The first prize, a feather shaped, gold ribbon decorated silver pen was given to Rizal.

In the poem, Rizal beseeched the Filipino to rise from lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter than the wind and descend
with art science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people.

The poem is a classic. Two reasons:

1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities.

2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos and not the foreigners were the “fair hope of
the Fatherland.”

HE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

- Another literary contest by the Artistic-Literary Lyceum to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of
Cervantes, Spanish and author of Don Quixote.

Manuel De Cervantes — Spain’s glorified man of letter.

Rizal submitted an allegorical drama, El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods)

The allegory was based on Greek classics

Rizal was aided by Father Rector of the Ateneo in securing the needed reference materials
The contest was participated by priest, laymen, professors of UST, newspapermen and scholars.

Rizal won the first price; he received a gold ring engraved with bust of Cervantes.

D.N. Del Puzo — a Spanish writer won the 2 nd price

CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS

There were frequent student brawls between the Filipinos and the Spaniards

1880: Rizal founded Companerismo (Comradeship), a secret society of Filipino UST students. The members were called
“Companions of Jehu”.

He was the chief of the society.

His cousin, Galicano Apacible was the secretary.

In one of the skirmishes, Rizal was wounded on the head. His friends brought him to Casa Tomasina where Leonor Rivera
took care of him

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST

Rizal was unhappy in the Dominican institution because;

The Dominican professors were hostile to him

The Filipino’ students’ were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards

The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.

DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD

Rizal decided to study in Spain after finishing the fourth year of his medical course.

The people who approved :

His older brother Paciano

His sisters Saturnina (Neneng) and Lucia

Uncle Antonio Rivera

The Valenzuela family

Some friends

The people who did not know his decision:

Rizal’s parents

Leonor Rivera

Spanish authorities
Without education and liberty, which are the soil and the sun of man, no reform is possible, no measure can give the
result desired.

- José Rizal Philippine National Hero