EDUCATION

As Rizal came from a wealthy family, it was natural for his family to get a private tutor for him. However, his status does not become an excuse to bypass the rule or punishment of his Maestro and discrimination in the society. As a student who was studying the life of Rizal, we think of him as mighty and unique from us. However, he was just like an ordinary boy who also had experienced what we have experienced. In fact, we might have a similar experience in which we both followed which course to take because of what our parents wanted. However, the only difference was that he was eager to learn many things and that he stood up for that, unlike some of us who were still lost and undecided.

Early Education

Rizal’s journey to his early education had Maestro Celestino, as his first tutor and Maestro Lucas Padua as the second one. Also, Leon Monroy was his tutor in Spanish and Latin. However, his life does not last long. Meanwhile, he had his early education in Biñan, Laguna, where he met Maestro Justiniano Cruz who used corporal punishment to discipline the students which made Rizal challenges to fight Pedro.

Higher Education

ATENEO DE MANILA

Colegio de San Juan de Letran was the one who handled boys who wanted to achieve higher education. Therefore, Rizal took the admission examination for freshmen at the age of 11 years old, on June 10, 1872, at Colegio de San Juan de Letran while accompanied by his brother, Paciano. After he passed the examination, he was admitted to Ateneo Municipal which is formerly known as Escuela Pia. However, due to his pale looks and a late registrant, Father Magin Ferran, the college registrar rejected him. In the end, he was still admitted with the help of Manuel Burgos and was registered as Jose Rizal.

STA. ISABEL COLLEGE

Rizal also studied at Santa Isabel College to have private lessons in the Spanish Language, which cost 3 pesos at that time in every extra lesson wherein he developed more of his skills in poetry writing. Though, he was already taught and guided by Father Francisco Paula de Sanchez before entering Santa Isabel College. Moreover, he also used his free time to learn painting lessons from Agustin Saez and sculpture lessons from Teodoro Romualdo de Jesus.

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

After graduation, Rizal was sent to UST, the Dominican University of the Philippines at the age of 16. Rizal was undecided about what course to take, but he is considering taking up literature, law, or medicine. However, due to the political issues in the Philippines at that time he changed his mind and followed what his father wanted for him, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Major in Philosophy. However, after his first year, he shifts his course to Philosophy and Letters to Medicine so that he can cure the bad eyesight of his mother.

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