Topics in Rizal for Recitation

1. Principalia: The principalía or noble class was the ruling and usually educated upper class in
the pueblos of Spanish Philippines.
Jose Rizal’s Family

The Rizal Family belonged to the “principalia” an aristocratic town of distinguished families. The
family was able to live well by the dint of honest and hard work and frugal living. They get their living
from the farms, which were rented from the Dominican Order, they harvested rice, corn, and
sugarcane. They raised pigs, chickens, and turkeys in their backyard. Doña Teodora, Rizal’s mother
managed a general goods store and operated a small flourmill and a home-made ham press. They
owned a carriage, which was a status symbol of the ilustrados in Spanish Philippines and a private
library (the largest in Calamba) which consisted of more than 1,000 volumes. The Rizal family had
a simple, contented, and happy life. Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their children, but they
never spoiled them. They were strict parents and trained their children to love God, to behave well,
to be obedient, and to respect people, especially the old folks. They give their children a sound
spanking whenever they (children) get into mischief. They believed in the maxim: “Spare the rod
and spoil the child.”

2. Saturnina: “neneng”: eldest sister of Jose Rizal

On June 4, 1850, Saturnina "Neneng" Rizal Mercado de Hidalgo (nee Rizal Mercado y Alonso
Realonda), the eldest sister of national hero and patriot Dr. Jose Rizal, was born in Calamba, Laguna.
Neneng married Manuel T. Hidalgo, a well-to-do native of Tanauan, Batangas, on November 3,
1881, in Calamba, Laguna. Being the eldest sister of Jose, Neneng was truly a big sister. She
diligently reported daily events and happenings in Calamba and told stories in vivid detail about the
Rizal family, when Jose was overseas. During Rizal's hardships abroad, Saturnina sent him a
diamond ring to help him with his finances.

Neneng, along with her mother and eight sisters, shared health concerns and sought medical advice
from her brother Jose. While he ultimately chose a different path, the females of the family
encouraged Rizal in the direction of gynecology and obstetrics because of the high rates of maternal
death and sickness from various women's diseases the country experienced at the time. In one
letter, she wrote:

In 1890, she initially begged her brother, Jose, to remedy the political situation in which her husband,
whom she called Maneng, became deported to Bohol for his alliance with Rizal. A letter from later
that year revealed her change of heart. When her husband was sent into exile a second time, this
time to Mindoro, she assured Rizal she had refrained from crying.

In 1909, Hidalgo published the first Tagalog/Filipino translation, by Pascual H. Poblete, of her
brother's revolutionary novel Noli Me Tangere, thus ensuring Rizal's words became accessible,
beyond elite Spanish-speaking circles, to the common Filipino.

She died on September 14, 1913, in Manila.

3. Nationalism: Nationalism refers to a political ideology or movement that emphasizes the interests,
culture, and identity of a particular nation or group of people. It is characterized by a strong sense
of loyalty and devotion to one's nation, often accompanied by the belief that the nation's interests
should be prioritized above those of other nations. Nationalism can manifest itself in various forms,
including civic, ethnic, cultural, language, religious, or ideological nationalism.

The impact of Jose Rizal in nationalism is significant, particularly in the context of the
Philippines. Jose Rizal, a Filipino national hero, played a crucial role in inspiring and mobilizing the
Filipino people during the late 19th century when the Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule.
Rizal's writings, such as his novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," exposed the injustices
and abuses of the Spanish colonial government and sparked a sense of national consciousness
among Filipinos. Rizal advocated for reforms and peaceful resistance against Spanish colonialism,
emphasizing the importance of education, unity, and cultural pride. His writings and ideas inspired
Filipinos to fight for their rights, assert their national identity, and strive for independence. Rizal's
martyrdom in 1896 further fueled the flames of nationalism and became a symbol of resistance
against colonial oppression. Overall, Jose Rizal's impact on nationalism in the Philippines can be
seen in his role as a catalyst for social awakening, cultural revival, and the pursuit of national
independence. His ideas and sacrifices continue to inspire Filipinos to this day.

4. Companerismo: Compañerismo is a Spanish term that can be translated as "fellowship,"

"comradeship," or "camaraderie." It refers to a sense of unity, friendship, and mutual support among
companions or colleagues. Compañerismo emphasizes the importance of harmonious relationships
and teamwork.

Regarding the purpose of why Rizal created a society related to compañerismo, I couldn't
find specific information about Rizal creating a society with that specific purpose. However, Jose
Rizal was actively involved in various organizations and movements that aimed to promote unity,
social progress, and the welfare of the Filipino people. He believed in the power of collective action
and the importance of building strong bonds among individuals for the betterment of society. Rizal's
works and actions were driven by his desire to awaken the Filipino people's national consciousness,
inspire unity, and fight against colonial oppression. He advocated for reforms, education, and
peaceful resistance to bring about positive change in the Philippines. Rizal's ideas and principles
continue to inspire Filipinos in their pursuit of national identity, freedom, and social justice. Please
note that the information provided is based on available knowledge about Jose Rizal and may not
cover all aspects of his life and contributions.

5. Makamisa: ‘After Mass’ is an unfinished novel written by Filipino patriot and writer José Rizal.

The novel has only one chapter. It runs for only ten pages and is hand-written in Tagalog. There are
seven characters mentioned in 10 pages. Jose Rizal did not finish his novel "Makamisa" because
he was arrested and imprisoned by the Spanish authorities. He was accused of inciting rebellion
through his writings and was arrested in 1892. During his imprisonment, Rizal was not able to
complete "Makamisa" or any other literary works.

6. Alipato: ‘Kabayo’ Jose Rizal's pony pet was named Alipato. He loved riding on his spirited pony
and would often take long walks in the meadows and lakeshores with his dog. Alipato was a
cherished companion of Rizal during his childhood. It is a gift from his father.

7. Sulpukan: Sulpukan is one of the inventions of Jose Rizal. It is a cigarette lighter and sent it to
his valuable friend Dr. Blumentritt.

8. Frailocracy: ‘rule of the friars’

A unique form of government in Hispanic Philippines where the church and state are one or a
government by friars “rule of friars”.

Jose Rizal did face difficulties during the period of "frailocracy" in the Philippines. Frailocracy
refers to the dominance and influence of the Spanish friars (known as friars or "frailes") in the
Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The friars held significant power and control over
various aspects of Philippine society, including politics, education, and religion. Rizal, being a
prominent advocate for reforms and a critic of the Spanish colonial system, faced opposition and
persecution from the friars. His writings and ideas challenged the authority and practices of the friars,
which made him a target of their ire. Rizal's novels, such as "Noli Me Tangere" and "El
Filibusterismo," exposed the abuses and injustices committed by the friars and the colonial
administration. As a result of his activism and writings, Rizal experienced harassment, surveillance,
and was eventually arrested and imprisoned. He was subjected to various forms of mistreatment
and was eventually executed in 1896. Rizal's experiences during the period of frailocracy highlight
the challenges faced by those who dared to question and challenge the oppressive colonial system.

9. Conception: Concepcion Rizal, also called 'Concha' by her siblings, was the eighth child of the
Rizal family. She died at the age of three. Of his sisters, it is said that Pepe loved most the little
Concha who was a year younger than him. When Concha died of sickness in 1865, it considered
as Rizal’s first sorrow.
10. Dominican: Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, had significant interactions with the
Dominican order during his educational journey. He studied at the University of Santo Tomas (UST),
which was a Dominican-owned institution, and his experiences there influenced his views and later
works. Rizal's dissatisfaction with the educational system at UST, particularly the racial prejudice of
the Dominican professors against Filipino students and the obsolete method of instruction, led him
to decide to study abroad. He was also disappointed with the favoritism shown in the university and
the restrictions placed on students, such as not being allowed to handle laboratory apparatus.
Despite the challenges he faced at UST, Rizal's academic performance was commendable, with
records showing his excellence in various subjects. However, his dissatisfaction with the Dominican
system of education and the distractions of youth, among other factors, led him to decide to leave
the Philippines for Europe. Rizal's experiences with the Dominicans and his education at UST played
an important role in shaping his perspectives and fueled his desire for the liberation of the Filipinos
from Spanish tyranny.

11. Medicine: Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, had a deep interest in medicine. He
pursued his medical studies at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila but later decided to continue
his studies in Spain due to the discriminatory treatment of Filipino students by the Spanish educators
at the University. In 1882, Rizal began studying medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid. He
chose to specialize in ophthalmology, partly because of his mother's failing eyesight. Rizal was a
gifted student and excelled in his studies. He completed his medical course in Spain in 1884 with
the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. Rizal continued his studies in Paris and Germany, where he
gained experience in ophthalmology. In 1887, he moved to Paris and worked as an assistant to the
renowned ophthalmologist, Dr. Louis de Wecker. He later went to Heidelberg, Germany to further
his studies. Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1887 and practiced medicine in Manila. He also
opened a clinic in his hometown in Calamba, Laguna. His skills in ophthalmology were well
recognized, and he was known for his successful operations. Rizal's interest in medicine extended
beyond his professional practice. He believed in the importance of public health and hygiene. He
wrote essays promoting public health reforms and emphasizing the need for clean surroundings,
proper diet, and regular exercise. In summary, Rizal's passion for medicine was not only a
profession but also a means to serve his countrymen. His medical knowledge and skills were a
significant part of his life and legacy.

12. Sugarcane: aside from spending some time in teaching the town folks, he also engaged in
medical practice through which he was able to cure the eye ailment of Calixto Carreon. The story
said that Calixto offered Dr. Rizal the 40-hectare land as a way to repay him. Dr. Rizal accepted
Calixto's offer, but insisted on a payment of ₱200, which he had won in a lottery organized by the
Spanish. Rizal planted coconuts, hemp, sugar cane, and fruit trees on his farm.
13. Celestino: “tutor in Calamba”

As Jose grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home at Calamba.
The first was Maestro Celestino.

14. Justiniano: “tutor in Biñan”

Young Jose Rizal, accompanied by his brother, Paciano, came to Biñan in June 1869 to study under
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. Maestro Cruz taught him Latin and Spanish. Rizal excelled in his
academic studies. He was at the top of his class, beating all the Biñan boys.

15. Caraballo: “boarding house”

Rizal was first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street. This was owned by a
spinster named Titay who owed the Rizal family the amount of 300 pesos. Jose Rizal said: “Home
was about twenty-five minutes from Ateneo because I didn’t want to stay in Intramuros that seemed
to me very gloomy. I found a companion called Pastor Millena, a boy of my own age. The house
was small, located on Caraballo Street. A river ran alongside one of its corners. The house
consisted of a dining room, a drawing room, a sleeping room, and a kitchen. A trellis covered the
small space between the gate and the stairs.

16. Dapitan: “exile”

During his exile in Dapitan, Jose Rizal led a fruitful and productive life. He practiced medicine,
engaged in business, farming, and fishing, and maintained a school for young boys. He also
continued his artistic pursuits, including painting and sculpture. He made significant contributions to
the local community, such as introducing modern agricultural methods and setting up a water system
for supplying fresh water to the townsfolk. He also worked on several civic projects, like building
roads and providing lighting systems. Rizal used his time in Dapitan to continue his advocacy for
education and reform, despite the limitations of his exile.

José Rizal (Martinez) was exiled in Dapitan in 1892, and he began adapting to his new home. He
helped the local residents by offering free education to all children, befriending his student Jose
Asiniero (Hernando), and rendering his services as a doctor, including treating his mother, Doña
Teodora Alonzo (Carpio), who visited him with his sisters Maria (Pangilinan) and Narcisa (Dumpit).

He met his fiancée and Rizal treated this some man and offered him 200 pesos ad later win at the
lottery and live peacefully in Dapitan.

17. Calamba: Rizal was born in Calamba on June 19, 1861. He grew up in a well-off family and
received his early education in Calamba.
18. Secularization: “friars took over churches”

Before the 19th century, there were only a few secular priests and because of that, the regular
priests filled in the position of the seculars in administering the parishes. However, by the 19th
century, there was a massive entry of seculars. The seculars wanted to have their job back from the
regulars. Unfortunately, the regulars did not want to leave their parishes because they do not want
to lose influence over the people, and they still want to earn money using their jobs. A priest named
Father Jose Burgos then fought for equality among the two kinds of priests and later fought for a
bigger scope, the Filipino equality.

19. GomBurZa: The religious development accelerated the Filipino nationalism through, first, the
influence of Father Jose Burgos. He influenced Rizal and also fought for the equality between
Filipinos and the people of Spain, specifically between the seculars and regulars. Second is the Friar
Rule or the Frailocracy which the Filipinos did not like. Their desire to end it made them realize their
sense of nationalism. Lastly, the execution of the 3 priests, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora also known
as GOMBURZA. This happening resulted to the Filipinos' Propaganda Movement wherein they
fought for reforms, fought to expel the friars, and many more.

20. Subanon: Jose Rizal mastered 22 languages including the Subanon which was acquired durinf
his exile in Mindanao, specifically in Dapitan.

21. Mathematics: “Polymath”

Rizal is best known for his written works, which gave Filipinos hope when they were under Spanish
rule. Rizal was more than just a writer, though. The hero knows a lot about many different things,
which makes him a polymath. A polymath is someone who is smart in many different areas. Rizal
was a sculptor, painter, and inventor, among other things. He was also an expert in many scientific
fields, like medicine, ophthalmology, and bio.

22. Wrestling: At an early age, Rizal was a fragile young man. Yet, thanks to his uncle, he had
exposure to martial arts, which helped strengthen his weak body. Being an athletic man, he taught
Rizal horseback riding and wrestling. And not only that, Rizal shed his sickly and frail physique. The
wrestling lessons also protected Rizal from bullying. Obviously, a small kid like Rizal was a favorite
target of bullies. But in his Memorias de Un Estudiante de Manila, Rizal described how he beat a
bigger and older kid in school and gained fame out of it.
23. Japanophile: Jose Rizal loved everything about Japan except their culture na mag buhat ng
tao, also called the “Rickshaw”.
24. Mechanics: Jose Rizal had a keen interest in engineering and mechanics, which influenced his
inventions and scientific pursuits.
25. Rickshaw: A rickshaw is a mode of transportation, typically a small two-wheeled cart pulled by
a person. Rizal hated it.
26. Emperor: An emperor is the highest rank in Carthaginian Empire in Ateneo, Rizal later acquired
it and he was considered as an inferior and was placed at the bottom of the class. By the end of the
month, he became the emperor and received a prize: a religious picture.
27. Carthaginian: When Rizal was studying at Ateneo Rizal was grouped into Carthaginian Empire
and was ranked at the bottom in the start of the class. He kept on getting promoted and attained the
rank emperor. On March 23, 1877, he obtained the degree Bachiller en Artes and was awarded
sobresaliente.

28. Sobresaliente: Sobresaliente is a Spanish word that translates to "outstanding" or "excellent."

In relation to Jose Rizal, he was an outstanding student and scholar, achieving remarkable success
in his studies.
29. Therapeutics: Having to do with treating disease and helping healing take place. When Rizal
was exiled in Dapitan he is a therapeutic because he is still helping others in medication of their
diseases.
30. Schweigger: at Berlin, Germany Rizal worked in the clinic of Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a
famous German ophthalmologist. Rizal was the first Asian to be accorded with honors for being a
member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and the Geographical Society of
Berlin.
31. Policarpio:

32. Ilokano: Ilokano is a language spoken in the Philippines, primarily in the Ilocos Region. Jose
Rizal, being a Filipino national hero, had knowledge and understanding of various Philippine
languages, including Ilokano.
33. Singapore: Jose Rizal visited Singapore during his travels in 1882. At that time, he was en route
to Spain to pursue his studies in medicine. Rizal stayed in Singapore for a few days and used this
opportunity to observe and learn about the local culture and society. It is worth noting that Singapore
was under British colonial rule at the time. During his stay in Singapore, Rizal immersed himself in
the community, interacted with local residents, and observed the multicultural environment of the
city. He also took the opportunity to visit important landmarks and institutions, such as the Raffles
Hotel, the British Museum, and the Botanic Gardens. Rizal's visit to Singapore exposed him to
different perspectives on colonialism and national identity, which influenced his views and writings
in the future.
34. Ophthalmology: Rizal studied Ophthalmology or treatment for eyes to cure his mother who
have a disease in eye.
35. Ilustrado: Ilustrado refers to the educated Filipino elite during the Spanish colonial period. They
were the advocates of social and political reforms in the Philippines. Jose Rizal himself was
considered an Ilustrado and played a crucial role in the movement for Philippine independence.
36. Imperialism: Imperialism refers to a policy or ideology in which a nation extends its power and
influence over other countries or territories, often through colonization or economic dominance. Jose
Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was critical of imperialism and its effects on the Filipino
people. Through his writings, such as novels like "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," Rizal
exposed the abuses and injustices committed by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines.
He advocated for reforms and called for greater rights and freedom for the Filipino people, aiming
to raise awareness about the negative impacts of imperialism on the colonized nations.

Rizal's writings and activism played a significant role in inspiring nationalism, resistance, and the
eventual pursuit of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule. His ideas and efforts
contributed to the broader movement against imperialism across the world and remain influential to
this day.
38. Hacienda: The Dominican friars virtually owned the town of Calamba and its haciendas at the
time, hence, non-Spanish families were only renting the lands they tilled and were subject to pay
taxes, mostly excessive in money or kind.
39. Macopa: Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden
of tropical fruit trees – atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy, etc. It was Rizals
favorite fruit when he was young when the time he was still in tutor.
40. Sawmill:

41. Lanzones: at their backyard Jose Rizal's family have a fruit called Lanzones.

42. Agriculture: Jose Rizal recognized the importance of agriculture in the development and self-
sufficiency of the Filipino people. He wrote about agricultural reforms and the need for improvements
in farming practices.
44. Mercado: The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731 by
Domingo Lamco (the paternal great-great-grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full-blooded
Chinese.
45. Katagalugan: Katagalugan refers to the Tagalog region or the Tagalog-speaking people. Jose
Rizal actively supported the aspirations of the Katagalugan and the broader movement for Philippine
independence.
46. Mindanao: Jose Rizal visited Mindanao during his travels and wrote about its rich cultural
heritage. This is also the place where Rizal was exiled.
47. Valenzuela: Pio Valenzuela is the Katipunan honcho who flew to Zamboanga in 1896 to
convince the exiled Jose Rizal to join the revolutionaries.
48. Chocolate: Jose Rizal express his love for sweets and desserts in his writings.

49. Ayungin: Ayungin is a Filipino term for a type of fish known as the silver perch or the silver
therapon. It is the favorite fish of Rizal.
50. Balimbing: Balimbing is a Filipino term for a starfruit or carambola fruit. Also, Jose Rizal loved
to eat it.