BRIEF RIZAL

BIOGRAPHY
Main Idea: The life of Jose
Rizal and the influence he
bestowed towards the
society through his

OF JOSE
ingenuity and works.

Biography Subject: Jose Rizal

Author: Artiaga, Zedny Arianna, Soria, Rupert Je & Turayno, Karlnovy

Rizal’s Birth
Rizal was born on June 19 1861, in Kalamba, Laguna and was baptized
by the name Jose Rizal Mercado. Rizal’s place, Kalamba, is a small
agricultural town sitting at the foot of Mt. Makiling. In Rizals time, it was
a prosperous town devoted to the production of sugar. Despite their
hardship as tenants of the Dominican friars whose estate covered
practically the whole town, its inhabitants lived happily and well.

Due to its scenic beauty of the town, it gives young Rizal the right
impetus for his poetic and artistic creativity and also shape his noble
and heroic spirit. The surroundings of his home opened to him in many
wonders of nature that enhanced his perceptions. The elegant and
gentle atmosphere of the family’s rambling house left a deep impression
on the youthful Rizal. It was in this atmosphere that Rizal learned the
early values of love, affection and loyalty which won him the esteem
and admiration of his people.

Don Francisco Mercado, Rizal’s father, was born in Binan, Laguna.

Fransisco Mercado, studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San
Jose in Manila and Rizal described him as a “model of fathers” and was
a man of “solid shoulder, strong constitution.
 Doña Teodora Alonso, Rizals mother was born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz,
Manila and came from a distinguished and talented family and was a
remarkable woman. Both parents greatly influenced Rizal and left their
imprint on his character. From his father he inherited a profound sense
of dignity and self respect, seriousness and self-profession and from his
mother the temperament of the poet and a dreamer and a bravery for
sacrifice.
Rizal's Childhood

Rizal learned his alphabet at the age of 3. As a boy, he took avid interest in reading and
literature because the family’s extensive library provide him with the necessary
incentives. In addition to reading, he also manifested skills in sculpting, sketching and
painting. Soon Rizal’s passion for knowledge superseded his home studies and at 9
years, he was sent by his parents to Binan and concentrated on his studies assiduously
and excelled in all subjects. On June 10, 1872, Rizal took the entrance exam at San Juan
de Letran College. Passing all qualifying test in Christian doctrine, reading and
arithmetic entitled him to admission at the Ateneo where he studied from 1872 to
1877. At the Ateneo, he discovered the wisdom of books and its influences on his
search for knowledge and pursued history, philosophy, science and poetry. At 16, he
stepped out of college halls into a world that give him boundless opportunities to help
the oppressed Filipinos. Rizal gradually gained proficiency both in art of rhetoric and
in art of philosophical independent thinking. He expressed his ideals on the value of
education in later poems
while a student of the Ateneo. One poem, Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria
(“Through Education The Country Receives Light”) expresses the potential benefits that
can be derived from educating the citizenry. In another poem, Alianza Intima Entre la
Religion y la Buena Educacion (“Intimate Alliance between Religion and Good
Education”), Rizal elucidated that dedicated study, faith and belief in truth and love of
God is discovered. He graduated from Ateneo and enrolled in courses of Philosophy at
Santo Tomas and before 21 years old, he completed the surveyor and expert assessors
course in Agriculture with a grade of “excellent.” Paciano advise him to go to Europe to
broaden his perspective and to seek outlets for his talents. Rizal had also seek more
knowledge of western wisdom and opportunity.

During his student days, his greatest resentment was the pervading racial
discrimination. As a boy, he was looked down upon simply he was a native, an indio.
The Spanish boys were arrogant and insolent towards their brown classmates. At
times, Filipino boys were provoked into fights. While at the Santo Tomas, Rizal joined
a literary contest sponsored by the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila and submitted a
poem A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) which won him 1st prize and the
following year, the Liceo sponsored another competition. Again, he won 1st prize with
his play, El Consejo de los Dioses (“The Council of the Gods”). Critics and readers
praised the work lavishly until they discovered that the author is an indio and
suddenly turned their attention and compliments to the 2nd winner, a Spaniard by
birth. Rizal was indignant at this absurd behavior which is a clear evidence of racial
prejudice at the time.
The Publication of Noli Me Tangere in Berlin,
 Germany

Immensely unsatisfied, and extremely disgusted with the

Dominican-owned University of Santo Tomas for their
racial discrimination among the Filipino students, Rizal
decided to study in Europe after finishing his 4th year as
a med-school student. By the 3rd of May, 1882, he left for
Barcelona, Spain utilizing the surname “Mercado” instead
of “Rizal” and arrived by the middle of June.
Significantly, the reason why Jose Rizal thought to
secretly study abroad was to understand the culture,
traditions, political system and the manner of life of the
Europeans to help prepare himself to achieve his goal of
liberating the oppressed Filipinos from the Spanish
tyranny without being tracked by the Spanish authorities
and friars back in his motherland.

Consequently, he was advised by his older brother,

Paciano, to moved and continue his medical education at
the Central University of Madrid, in Madrid, Spain as it
was reportedly cheaper to study here. In 1884 while he
was still studying medicine in Madrid, Spain, he begun
writing thee first sections of his novel Noli Me Tangere,
the book that essentially opened the eyes of the
oppressed Filipinos during the Spanish colonization, and
eventually gave rise to the revolution and overthrow of
the brutal Spanish colonizers.
Initially, Jose Rizal proposed to write a book specifically exposing
the irregularities and brutalities committed by Spanish
authorities and friars in the Philippines with the Filipino
members of the Circulo Hispano-Filipino; yet ended up writing
it all by himself as most of the members wanted to solely write
about the character and activities of Filipino women, obviously
uninterested of Jose Rizal’s purpose. Entirely not discouraged,
and ignited to attain the freedom and liberty of his fellow
countrymen, he started writing his masterpiece Noli Me Tangere
which means “Touch Me Not” in Latin, a phrase mention in the
Bible in the book of St. John the Baptist, and was inspired by
Harriet Beacher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Furthermore,
impressed by the Spanish Masons who openly and freely
criticized the government policies and lambasted the friars, Rizal
joined the Brotherhood of Masons, seeking friendship, more
mature contacts, and enlightenment to complete his book.

As previously mentioned, Rizal finished the first half of the novel

in Madrid then after completing his studies in Spain, he went to
Paris, France and continued for his specialization in
ophthalmology – he chose this for he wanted to cure his mother’s
growing eye ailment. He worked as an apprentice of Dr. Louis de
Weckert, who was then a leading French ophthalmologist, while
ongoingly writing Noli Me Tangere. After acquiring enough
experience from Dr. Weckert, Rizal left France for Germany. Fast
forward in his life in Berlin, Germany, Rizal was financially
broke since his family in the Philippines were also facing
financial problems hindering Paciano to send money, hence
Rizal wasn’t able to publish his novel. Fortunately, with the help
of Maximo Viola, he was able to publish Noli Me Tangere on the
21st of March, 1887 and live comfortably with the money Viola
lend him.
Six-Month Sojourn in the Philippines and The
Publication of El Filibusterismo in Europe

After successfully publishing his first novel, Rizal was

determined to go home to the Philippines to operate his mother’s
eyes, serve his countrymen against the Spaniards, observe the
situation after publishing Noli Me Tangere, and find out why
Leonor Rivera remained silent, despite his brother and friends’
advice not to. On August 5, 1887, He arrived in Manila then three
days later was given a warm and cordial reception in Kalamba.
Yet, Jose Rizal already knew he was soon to leave the Philippines
again due to the heavy pressures from the friars; he wrote to Dr.
Blumentritt everything
about his circumstances in his homecoming.
 A few weeks after his arrival, his first novel aroused a great
amount of discussion, speculation, and apprehension wherein
despite the protection from liberal-minded Governor Emilio
Terrero, he still received daily threats from his oppositions.
There was even a campaign by the Spaniards and some of his
compatriots to drive him out of the country and destroy his
morale. Eventually, Governor Terrero, had to assign Jose Taviel
de Andrade, a lieutenant of the guardian civil, as Jose Rizal’s
personal escort. Also,
the committee from the University of Santo Tomas commented
that the Noli Me Tangere, was “heretical, impious, and
scandalous in its religious aspect, and unpatriotic and
subversive to public order.
The controversy brought by Noli Me Tangere was still heavy to a point
Rizal got involved in the Kalamba agrarian controversy; wherein his
exposure of Philippines’ situation under the Spanish regime brought
danger to the safety and peacefulness of his family and friends. Yet, Jose
Rizal’s determination to free the Filipino from abuse made him decide
to leave the country as it was palpable he’s capable of fighting his
oppositions and serve his purpose with greater efficacy through writing
in foreign countries. On the third of February, 1888, he discreetly left
and travelled through Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States to
investigate and study.

Even before he left the Philippines, Jose Rizal already started writing
the sequel of Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo translated in English as
“The Reign of Greed” in dedication to the three martyred priests,
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who were unfairly
treated and executed by the Spanish authorities. In this book, Jose Rizal
wanted the Filipino people to act on freedom and rebel against the
cruelty, oppression, discrimination, and abuse from the Spanish
government. Moreover, the book was a strong indictment of Spanish
colonialism and of native supporters and defenders of the system; there
a society on a verge of revolution was portrayed.

Before Rizal was able to publish the El Filibusterismo on the 18th of

September, 1891 in Brussels Belgium, he already strated writing the first
section while he was still in the Philippines on October, 1887.
Furthermore, there was a delay in the publication as Jose Rizal was
penniless and was suffering from privations it even came to the point
he messaged his friend Basa he has to stop the publication, and almost
burned the manuscript. Fortuitously, Valentin Ventura heard of Jose
Rizal’s problem, hence he immediately sent the amount needed to
finish the publication of the novel. Right after the publication, he sent
two copies in Hong Kong for Basa and Sixto Lopez while he willingly
gave the original manuscript and a printed copy with his autograph to
Valentin Ventura. Unfortunately, all copies of the first edition of El
Filibusterismo that was shipped in Hong Kong were confiscated and got
lost; the book eventually became rare and few available copies from
Ghent were sold at high prices.
Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan

As the sunshine shadowed Jose Rizal’s journey, he never focused on the

downside nor the practical nationalism flourished in Dapitan as he was
exiled due to various conspiracy involving accusations that resulted to
unjust trial. He arrived at Dapitan on the night of July 17, 1892 in a
desolate town couple hundreds of miles away from Manila. It will be a
long journey for Rizal to live in a place where too different from the
lively cosmopolitan he used to and before settling down, he needs to
make some adjustments before tackling any societal situations.

Soon after the long voyage, he will now practice his profession
especially as a doctor, scientist, engineer, farmer, and community
developer. He also pursues his artistic talent in sculpture, painting,
sketching and writing poetry in which recognized by townspeople and
as well as the military governor. The vibe of Dapitan’s ambiance as it
obtained wonderful bay and undulating hills which the pristine
environment is in contrast with the societal condition as it is covered
by darkness in night due to lack of electricity, improper water system
and unplanned streets development and no accessed to medical
services that makes Rizal as a perfect match to solve the circulating
community problems due to his talent, skills and ingenuity.

The politico military governor of Dapitan granted Rizal the freewill to

use his ingenuity in making the town prosperous and liberated from
the hands of Chinese traders who manipulates the trading and other
business transaction. As Rizal started his new life with purchasing a 16-
hectares of land where he can build his humble nipa house and the rest
 will be converted into plantation, school and clinic that will pave way
for the beginning of his nationalistic idea.
The new life of Rizal has begun in the other side of the country as
he woke up early at 5 then start doing his farm duties like feeding
his chickens and working in the plantation he made alone. After
that he will ride to his baroto to attend some patient in other town
then right after will travel back to have some lectures with the
students. His service in practicing medicine became even humane
as he charged his rich patients proportionate to what they can pay
and gives back free medical services to the poor. In that way, his
practice in medicine also encourage some foreign individuals to
seek medical advice and operation from him.

Out of the pay check he earned, it is diverted to make other

outreach program like the casitas de salud as a primary recovery
facility for his patient together with his family. On the other side,
he chooses 16 boys whom he accommodated near his own. These
following individuals will undergo teaching sessions with him and
will experience modern educational system as what Rizal absorb
from his educational career in western land. They will not pay any
tuition fees instead they are design by Rizal to learn a living out of
their skills and supplemented by various subject that will mould
them to be an independent individual.

Indeed, the public duties of Rizal was too broad that even in
fishing and farming he needs to educate the townspeople so that
they will have efficient production as well as supplying materials
in the construction of water & street light system that will greatly
help the townspeople. He ended the trade dynasty of Chinese by
encouraging natives to be involved in business circle. In just a
span of couple years, Rizal made the Dapitan as a place with a
promising potential and it is because of his ingenuity that can’t be
compared by anyone that time.
The Final Moment of Rizal

The death sentenced was read to Rizal on December 29. 1896

but he refused to sign it because the outcomes of the long trial
were too unjust for his side. Without ample amount of
evidence, he was convicted as a criminal and charged without
fair judgement even he reiterates his innocence and strongly
object to the part referring him as the Chinese mestizo but he
can’t do anything because it is required by the law to sign the
letter of his judgement.

After the letter was read to him, he asks his prison guard to
send his message to his family and highlighted in the letter
that he only wants the bravest to visit. I t was a long busy day
for Rizal as visitors came including some of his family
members, media, his defence council and some of the Jesuit
priests. Also, he managed to send his dearest friend Dr
Ferdinand Blumentritt a farewell letter and a piece of book the
he himself bound it when he was still in Dapitan. At the same
time, Rizal wrote and send letter to his younger brother
Paciano and express his heartfelt gratitude for the memories
and times they were together. He also asks forgiveness for the
deeds he had committed to both his Father and Paciano.
Later than that day, Rizal’s mother came to see him in his final moment
being alive. The drops of tears in his mother’s eyes clearly explained
the melancholy she felt because only hours left in Rizal’s life. Rizal asks
his mother to seek the authority's permission to bury his body but in
contrast his mother ask the Governor General for the clemency of his
son but it wasn’t granted. Going back in the cell, Rizal left all of his
belongings to his family member one by and especially an alcohol
burner that included important letter in it because there is no other
way to pass his last letter to the future generation, a legacy to the future
generation to inspire them to continue the work he had begun. In a
brief visit, Josephine and Rizal had time to talk something important
and after that, he lie down on his bed thinking that all of the important
things he need to do was already finished.

After Rizal will be sent-off to Bagumbayan, various reports that he

himself ask holy sacraments from the Jesuit priest and also the
circulating reports that Rizal signed something for his retraction in
masonry. Around 5 am in the morning, Josephine arrived at the church
for their wedding as Rizal Requested it before he dies. It will only a
brief ceremony and romantic moment together with his wife before
the execution will happen. He even asks his wife,” What is to become of
you?” that means something about the revolution, in that way the
guards can’t understand it in different way. Finally, they need to be
separated and Rizal express his last few words to his wife. “Farewell,
sweet foreigner, my crony and my delight!”. In a=short span of
time, he managed to write a letter for his mother and father but it
wasn’t finished because moments after, the prison guard escorted Rizal
to Bagumbayan
Indeed, it was the last moment Rizal had
enjoyed before he was shoot down in
Bagumbayan also known as Luneta
nowadays. For the reason of unjust and
reasonable trial, the right to live and enjoy
his rights was taken from him by various
people that condemned him that resulted
to his execution. One of the greatest
personality that lived has rested in peace
but his legacy will reign forever in the
heart of every Filipino.

Closing Idea: Jose Rizal

is an inspiration for the
Filipino people for his
legacy, courage,
peaceful revolt against
tyranny, and
 compassion for his
fellow countrymen.
References:
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september 18, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal's El
Filibusterismo was published in Ghent, Belgium.
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today-in philippine-history-september-18-1891-dr-jose-
rizals-el filibusterismo-was-published-in-ghent-
belgium
Romero, &. S. (n.d.). Chapter 4: Development of Rizal's
nationalism. In Life of Jose Rizal (pp. 47-71). Retrieved
October 27, 2020
SlideShare. (2016, May 16). Rizal report chapter 11.
Retrieved October 26, 2020, from SlideShare:
https://www.slideshare.net/Liljomonster/rizal-report
chapter-11
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Retrieved October 24, 2020, from Academia:
https://www.academia.edu/33921365/Rizals_Global_Edu
catio n_in_Europe
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national hero. Retrieved October 24, 2020, from
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