UNIT 2: Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad

Lesson 3: Higher Education

This learning module explores Jose Rizal's higher education journey, from his time at Ateneo
to his studies at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Students will learn how these
experiences shaped his ideas and prepared him for his role in the Filipino nationalist
movement. By understanding Rizal's academic background, students will gain insight into his
development as a key figure in Philippine history

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:
a. analyze the intellectual and personal growth of Dr. Jose P. Rizal during his higher
education at the University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University.
b. compose a four-stanza poem describing the experiences of José Rizal at UST and Ateneo,
highlighting his progress both intellectually and personally
c. reflect on the emotional and motivational aspects of Rizal's educational journey by
appreciating his resilience, determination, and commitment to his ideals and reforms.

Pre-test
Directions: Encircle the correct answer for each question.

1. Who was that person refused to admit Rizal, because he was late for registration?
a. Father Jose Bech
b. Father Margin Fernando
c. Father Burgos
d. Father Lleohart

2. What was the first favorite novel of Rizal?

a. University History
b. My first Inspiration
c. the count of Monte Cristo
d. To the child Jesus

3. Who was the first professor of Rizal in Ateneo?

a. Fr. Burgos
b. Fr. Francso
c. Fr. Lleonart
d. Fr. Jose Bech

4. Wh was the professors that inspired Rizal to study hard and write poetry?
a. Father Margin Fernando
b. Father Jose Bech
c. Fr. Pablo Ramon
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
 5. When was Rizal enrolled to Ateneo Municipal?
a. June 1872
b. July 1872
c. June 1817
d. June 1859

UNIT 2: Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad

Lesson 3: Higher Education

CONTENT

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

Jose Rizal studied in Ateneo Municipal, a college under supervision of Spanish Jesuits. Ateneo
Municipal is the bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran. Formerly
the Escuela Pia (Charity School) for poor boys in Manila established in 1817. In 1859, name was
changed to Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila (Noriel
Caisip, 2015).

Rizal took first the entrance examination at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran on June 10, 1872.
Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance examinations on Christian
Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at 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 (Rizal in Ateneo de Manila University, 2024). Father Magin Fernando the
college registrar of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: (1) he was late for
registration and (2) he was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years old) (marielwithdowny,
2015).

Manuel Xerez Burgos the nephew of Father Burgos; upon his intercession, Jose Rizal was
admitted at Ateneo. Jose used Rizal instead of Mercado because the name “Mercado” had come
under suspicion of the Spanish authorities (Education, 2010). Ateneo was located in Intramuros,
within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min walk from the
college (Life and Works of Dr. José Rizal - Chapter 4: Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo de Manila
(1872-1877) - Studocu, n.d.).

JESUIT 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 (Mapatac, n.d.). Students were divided into two groups:
Roman Empire- consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners. Second group,
Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners (Rizal in
Ateneo de Manila University, 2024).
Each of these empires had its rank that students fought for positions. With 3 mistakes,
opponent’s position could lose his position. 1st best: emperor; 2nd best: tribune; 3rd best:
decurion; 4th best: centurion; 5th best: standard-bearer. Ateneo students’ uniform is consisted of
hemp-fabric trousers´ and striped cotton coat (Jose Rizal [Education], n.d.).

Ateneo students’ uniform is consisted of ‘hemp-fabric trousers´ and ‘striped cotton coat´. The
coat was called rayadillo, and was adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days of
the First Philippine Republic. (Rizal Life and Works CHAPTER 1-6 Rizal Early Life, 2024)

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1972-73)

Jose Rizal belonged to the class composed of Spaniards, mestizos and Filipinos. His first teacher
was Fr. Jose Bech. As a newcomer and knowing little Spanish, he was considered as inferior and
placed at the bottom of the class. He was an externo hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians,
an occupant of the end of the line (fairykaye, 2009).

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 in Ateneo de Manila University, 2024).

To improve his Spanish, Jose Rizal took private lesson in Santa Isabel College during the noon
recess while students were playing and doing leisure activities. He placed second at the end of
the year although his grades were marked excellent. According to Ambeth Ocampo there were
only twelve students in a class, nine of which, including Jose Rizal, graduated sobresaliente with
the same excellent mark in all their subjects in school year 1876-77. He placed second at the end
of the year, although all his grades were still marked Excellent (Rizal: Life and Philosophies,
2010).

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 (Life and Works of Dr. José Rizal - Chapter 4: Scholastic Triumphs at
Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877) - Studocu, n.d.).

PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE

Doña Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the dream, told
her that she would be released from prison in 3 months’ time. It became true. Dona Teodora
likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams (Review
Guide Chapter 5, 2023).

TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING

The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His
boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his
spectacular escape from the dungeon of Chateau de’If, his finding a buried treasure in the rocky
island of Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him (Bauer
& Surprenant, 2019).

The reason why Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo” was Jose Rizal’s favorite novel
was because of the certain ideologies that were depicted in the novel that mirrors the social
conditions that were present during Rizal’s time that probably inspired him to like the novel so
much that some similarities were also seen in his second novel, El Filibusterismo (Alexandre
Dumas, Italo Calvino, and Jose Rizal: Their Similarities, 2013).

Rizal also read non-fiction. He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu’s
historical work entitled Universal History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor
Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who visited Phil in 1859-60. He was also impressed by:
Jagor‘s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization; and his prophecy that someday
Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer
(Guevarra, Reggie Chapter 4 | PDF | Manila | Spain, n.d.).

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75)

Jose Rizal returned to Ateneo shortly before the classes began to start his junior year. He met his
mother and informed him that she was finally released from prison, just as he predicted when he
visited her to her prison cell in Santa Cruz, Laguna
(Rizal Enters the Ateneo | PDF, n.d.).

JUNE 16, 1875

Rizal became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one of his professors,
inspired him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal’s best professor in Ateneo. Rizal described
him as model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils. He
returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings (Jose Rizal at Ateneo, n.d.).

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

On March 23, 1877, Rizal was 16 years old and received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo
Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. Rizal was the highest in all
subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term. He excelled in all his subjects and
was the most brilliant Atenean, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits” (Jose Rizal Education Life
in ATENEO and UST.pptx, 2024)

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 member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and
the Academy of Natural Sciences. Rizal studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous painter,
and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, and continued his physical training under hi sports-
minded Tio Manuel (Topic 4 Rizals Life Higher Education and Life Abroad, n.d.).

SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO

He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of Batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his
pocket-knife where the Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father Lleonart requested him to carve for
him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was 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 (Topic 4 Rizals Life Higher Education and
Life Abroad, n.d.).

POEM WRITTEN IN ATENEO

Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) was first written poem of Rizal when he was 14
years old, which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. Also, the other reason is Rizal was
delighted to see his mother Doña Teodora Alonso, released from prison that same year (PART
TWO- Rizal in HIS Early LIFE, 2022). Aside from this, Rizal also wrote El Embarque: Himno a
la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet), Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el
Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the Fist to Circumnavigate the
World) and El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo).
Moreover, in 1876, Rizal wrote poems on religion, education memories and war. (e.g. In
Memory of my Town) (Review Guide Chapter 5, 2023).

The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education- showed that Education without
God is not true education RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEM •Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)-
written when he was 14 years old, expressing his Catholic faith devotion. •A La Virgen Maria
(To the Virgin Mary) (GEC 19 Reviewer, 2021).

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

At the beginning, Rizal was not sure of what course to take after graduation. His former mentors
in Ateneo suggested priesthood or farming, but Rizal considered taking up literature, law or
medicine. Paciano, his brother discouraged him to take law, saying that Rizal will not be able to
practice it later on because of the political conditions in the country that time (Chapter 4. Rizal’s
Life - Higher Education and Life Abroad, 2019). Rizal was 16 years old when he began his
freshman year at UST. He enrolled under the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Major in
Philosophy. This was the course that his father wanted him to pursue, but then it turned out that
he took up courses in Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy and History of Philosophy (Padilla,
2019).

MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue higher learning in the university. But
Doña Teodora who is a woman of education and culture objects to Rizal desire for university
education. She knew what happened to the Gom-Bur-Za, and told her husband “Don’t send him
to Manila again, he knows enough. If he gets to know more the Spaniards will cut off his head”
(Gumpal Jeraldine JOY B BSN2B Activity#4 GEC9, 2021).

RIZAL TOOK UP THE MEDICAL COURSE

After his first year, Rizal changed his course from Philosophy and Letters to Medicine. There are
two reasons why he took up Medicine course. First, Rizal believed that he should finish medicine
so that he could cure his sick mother who had an eyesight failure. Second, he excelled in all
subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo (Ravin, 2001).
LITERARY WORKS (1879)
In 1879, it was also during this time that Rizal wrote A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino
Youth), a poem for his fellow Filipino youth. Rizal also revealed the flaws in the educational
system of the Dominicans, that would not let the students use the laboratory equipment unless
there are important visitors in the institution. The professors were hostile and their method of
teaching in a repressive manner was obsete (A La Juventud Filipina, 2021).

A La Juventud Filipina was considered a great work in Philippine literature for the following
reasons: one, the Spanish authorities noticed that it was the first best poem in Spanish written by
a Filipino; and two, it showed that the Filipinos were the fair hope of the motherland — a
nationalistic concept that portrayed Rizal’s love for the country. In his piece, he clearly
mentioned that Philippines is his motherland, Mi Patria (Reyes, n.d.).

EL CONSEJO DE LOS DIOS (THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS). An allegorical drama

written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest of Artistic Literary Lyceum in 1880 to
commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of Cervantes. It was a literary masterpiece
based on the Greek classics (SOCSC 005 Module 2 PPT, 2023).

The poem was announced as the best entry in the competition that year. However, the jury knew
that its author was a Filipino so they decided to confer the grand prize to a Spaniard. Even
though Rizal did not receive the best award, he had proven that Filipinos can compete with
other races in a fair play irrespective of the superiority of the Spaniards (Rizal - Lesson 3 -
Handout, 2019).

JUNTO AL PASIG (BESIDE THE PASIG) a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the
Ateneans on December 8, 1880, on the occasion of the annual celebration of the Feats Day of the
Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo (Tagapagtala, 2021).

A FILIPINAS in February 1880, Rizal wrote a sonnet dedicated to the Philippines that aimed at
encouraging Filipino artists to thank the country through their art works. This is the most
passionate poem about the Philippines written by Rizal (LWR Reviewer, 2022).

ACTIVISM AT UST
Rizal stood as a leader in student activism when he was studying philosophy and medicine in
UST. The Spanish and mestizo students called the Filipinos indio or chongo. In return, Rizal and
his peers retaliated by calling them Kastila or bangus (Rizal Studies in Ateneo and UST, 2019).
As a result, student fights in the university campus and even in the streets of Manila became
common. Rizal, being the front-runner, was recognized for winning the brawls because of his
determination and skills in fencing and wrestling. In fact, there was also a time that Rizal was
wounded due to a fight with the Spanish students of Escolta, Manila (Rizal-Reviewer, 2023).

Rizal created a secret group of Filipino students called “Compañerismo.” The members were
called Companions of Jehu, the patriot general of the Jews. Rizal automatically became the
president of this secret society and Galiciano Apacible was the secretary. Rizal’s activism was
also expressed in his disapproval of the faulty and outmoded system of education in the
university during his time (LWR Reviewer, 2022).
ACTIVITY:
Directions: Compose a four-stanza poem describing the experiences of Philippine national hero
José Rizal attending higher education at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Ateneo de
Manila University (Ateneo). Rizal's progress both intellectually and personally in these
institutions should be highlighted in the poem, as it will have a significant impact on his
development as a well-known reformist and scholar.

Rubrics:

Needs
Criteria Excellent (5) Good (4) Fair (3) Improvement
(2)

Content The poem shows The poem shows The poem shows The poem needs
the writer really the writer the writer knows more
understands understands a bit about Rizal, information or
Rizal’s life and some things but it’s not very has smething
why he’s about Rizal, but clear or detailed. facts about
important. It has could have more Rizal.
lots of good details.
information.

Poetic Devices The poem uses The poem some The poem uses The poem needs
lots of cool nice words and some interesting more interesting
words and saying, but could words, but not words or saying.
saying to make it have more. many.
sound nice.

Structure and The poem is The poem is The poem could The poem is
Organization really easy to pretty easy to be a little easier hard to
understand and it understand, but to follow understand
flows nicely it might jump because it jumps because it jumps
from one part to around a bit too aound a lot. around too much
another. much.

Language and The words in the The words in the The words in the The words in the
Expression poem sound poem sound nice poem are okay, poem need to be
really good and and help you to but they could be better because
they help you to understand what better. they’re not clear.
understand what the writer is
the writer is saying.
saying.

Mechanics and The peom The poem only There are some There are lots of
Presentation doesn’t have any few mistakes, mistakes in the mistakes in the
mistakes in like spelling or poem, and its poem, and its not
spelling or grammar, and its nice on delivery totally clear on
grammar, and it good on delivery of the words. how to deliver
looks really of the words. the words.
good on the
delivery of the
words.

ASSESSMENT
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. Choose your answer inside the box.

a. Pride f. Lose k. Abroad

b. Humanities g. write poetry l. Study hard
c. Interno h. Carve
d. Letran i. religious
e. Literature j. painting

1. He was truly “the _________ of the Jusuits.”

2. Father Lleonart requested Rizal to ___________ an image of Sacred Heart of Jesus for
him.
3. Jesuits trained the character of the students by discipline, ____________ and __________
instruction.
4. His father was the first person wished for him to study ______________.
5. He became an ______________ in Ateneo.
6. His professor inspired Rizal to ____________ and _______________.
7. He was studied _____________ under Agustin Saez.
8. Ateneo was formerly known as __________________, which is a school for poor boys in
Manila
REFERENCES
A la juventud filipina. (2021, October 14). Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_la_juventud_filipina

‌Alexandre Dumas, Italo Calvino, and Jose Rizal: Their Similarities. (2013, August 24). The
Count of Monte Cristo (Book Review).
https://anjisbookreview.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/alexandre-dumas-italo-calvino-and-
jose-rizal-their-similarities/

‌ Bauer, P., & Surprenant, C. (2019). The Count of Monte Cristo | Summary, Legacy, & Facts.
In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Count-of-Monte-
Cristo

‌Chapter 4. Rizal’s life - Higher Education and Life Abroad. (2019). Studocu; Studocu.
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livelihood-education/chapter-4-rizals-life-higher-education-and-life-abroad/39696737

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‌ Padilla, Ma. D. (2019, February 6). Yes, Dr. Jose Rizal was a real ophthalmologist. Philippine
Journal of Ophthalmology. https://paojournal.com/article/yes-dr-jose-rizal-was-a-real-
ophthalmologist/

Mapatac, D. (n.d.). Chapter 4-SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-

1877)-Summary. Www.academia.edu. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from
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DE_MANILA_1872_1877_Summary
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Review Guide Chapter 5. (2023). Studocu; Studocu.

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-santo-tomaslegazpi/life-and-works-
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Rizal Enters The Ateneo | PDF. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/doc/99487449/Rizal-

Enters-the-Ateneo

Rizal in Ateneo de Manila University. (2024). Studocu; Studocu.

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Rizal-Reviewer. (2023). Studocu; Studocu. https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/tagoloan-

community-college/electronics-technology-engineering/rizal-reviewer/73994396

‌Rizal - Lesson 3 - Handout. (2019). Studocu; Studocu.

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Tagapagtala, A. (2021, June 26). Junto al Pasig by Dr. Jose Rizal. Pintakasi.
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‌