Early Life and Education

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna. He grew up in a prosperous family that valued education and cultural refinement. His parents, Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso, provided a nurturing environment that fostered his intellectual curiosity. Rizal began his formal education in Binan, Laguna, and later attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he excelled academically, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

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Intellectual Pursuits

Rizal was a polymath, excelling in literature, arts, science, and philosophy. His novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" are seminal works that exposed the corruption and injustices of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. These novels played a crucial role in awakening Filipino nationalism and inspired subsequent generations to fight for their rights.

Apart from his novels, Rizal wrote numerous essays, poems, and articles showcasing his profound understanding of society and his visionary ideas for reform. His writings were characterized by their clarity, eloquence, and deep empathy for the plight of his countrymen. Rizal was also an accomplished artist and sculptor, using these mediums to express his ideas and emotions.

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Patriotism and Activism

Rizal's patriotism was the driving force behind his activism. He believed in peaceful reform and the power of education to uplift his countrymen. His travels across Europe, Asia, and America exposed him to various political and social systems, which he analyzed and compared to the conditions in the Philippines. Rizal was a member of various reformist groups, including the Propaganda Movement, which advocated for political and social reforms through peaceful means.

Despite his peaceful advocacy, Rizal's writings and activities made him a target of the Spanish authorities. He was arrested and eventually executed on December 30, 1896, becoming a martyr for the cause of Filipino independence. Rizal's lifestyle was characterized by his unwavering commitment to justice and his belief in education and peaceful reform to bring about change.

Legacy

José Rizal's lifestyle was a blend of intellectual rigor, passionate advocacy, and personal warmth. His dedication to his country and his pursuit of knowledge and justice left an indelible mark on Philippine history. Rizal's life serves as an enduring inspiration, demonstrating that one can lead a life of purpose and impact through intellect, passion, and unwavering commitment to one's principles.

Rizal's legacy continues to inspire Filipinos and people worldwide to strive for a better future through education, peaceful reform, and a deep respect for human dignity. His life story is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make in the fight for justice and equality.

The Mercado - Rizal Family

The Rizal's is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family's paternal ascendant was full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the name of Ines Dela Rosa. Researchers have revealed that the Mercado - Rizal family had also traced of Japanese, Spanish, Malay and even Negrito blood aside from Chinese. Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.

FRANCIS MERCADO (1818 - 1898)

Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila

TEODORA ALONZO REALONDA QUINTOS (1826 - 1911)

A well-known Filipina and mother of José Rizal, the country's national hero. She was born in Biñan, Laguna, the second of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos' children.

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850 - 1913)

Eldest child of the Rizal- Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. She and her mother provided Jose with good basic education at the age of three.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851 - 1930)

Only brother of Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.

NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)

Narcisa is the third child and was married to Antonio Lopez, a teacher and musician from Morong, Rizal. Like a doting sister, Narcisa was very close to Rizal and could recite all of Rizal’s poems from memory.

OLIMPIA RIZAL (1855 - 1887)

She is the fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.

LUCIA RIZAL (1857 -1919)

She is the fifth child. She married Matriano Herbosa of Calamba. Her husband was denied a Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal.

MARIA RIZAL (1859 - 1945)

She is the sixth child. She married Daniel Faustino Cruz, scion of wealthy family of Binan, Laguna.

JOSE RIZAL (1861 - 1896)

The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30, 1986.

CONCEPTION RIZAL (1862 - 1865)

She is the eight child and died at the age of three. Her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life.

JOSEFA RIZAL (1865 - 1945)

She is the ninth child. An epileptic and died a spinster. She lived together with her sister Trinidad "Trining" until death separated them. She became a member of women's section of Katipunan.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868 - 1951)

She is the tenth child. She died a spinster and the last of the family to die. She also became a member of women's sectrion of Katipunan with Josefa.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870 - 1929)

The youngest child. Married Pantaleon Quintero. She became a teacher and said to have been the "best educated" among the sisters of Rizal.

In the Heart of the Hero: The Women of José Rizal

Lets delves into the lives and legacies of the remarkable women who influenced and inspired the Philippine national hero, Dr. José Rizal. This insightful piece explores the deep emotional connections and enduring relationships Rizal had with several women, each playing a significant role in shaping his life, his work, and his revolutionary spirit. Through their stories, lets gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the hero, discovering how these women contributed to his journey toward becoming a revered figure in Philippine history.

JULIA CELESTE SMITH (1877)

She is the first girlfriend of Dr. Jose Rizal. Rizal was only 15 years old when he first saw Julia by accident in a river named Dampalit in Los Baños a few days after Easter in 1877.

SEGUNDA KATIGBAK (1877)

Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love. She was the sister of Mariano Katigbak, Rizal's friend and classmate. She studied in La Concordia College, where Rizal's sister Olympia also studied. Their relationship did not last because Segunda was already engaged to her townmate, Manuel Luz.

JACINTA IBARDO LAZA (1877)

She was a teacher from Pakil, Laguna. Rizal called her Miss L and described her as "fair with seductive and attractive eyes". After visiting her in her house several times, Rizal suddenly stopped his wooing, and the romance died a natural death. Rizal gave two reasons for his change of heart because of the sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart and his father objected his romance with Miss L because she was a professor.

LEONOR VALENZUELA (1878)

Charming daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela and a tall girl from Pagsanjan, Laguna. Leonor or "Orang" was his neighbor when he stayed in Intramuros while studying at the University of Sto. Tomas. Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink, that could only be deciphered over the warmth of the lamp or candle. Rizal besotted with Orang but Orang didn't felt the same way. She entertained other suitor and not even shedding a tear when Rizal left the country.

LEONOR RIVERA (1878-1890)

Leonor was the daughter of a cousin of Rizal's father from Camiling, Tarlac. They met in Manila when Leonor was 13 years old, and even as Rizal left for Europe two years later, the two kept up their corresepondence, which supposedly kept Rizal inspired during his studies. In her letters to Rizal, she signed her name as “Taimis” in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their parents and friends. Rizal's letters to Leonor went unacknowledged for a whole year because of Leonor's mother. Later on, she married Henry Charles Kipping, an engineer, because her mother preffered Kipping over Rizal. Her mother made her believe that Rizal was engaged to Ferdinand Blumentritt's daughter.

CONSUELO ORTIGA y PEREZ (1884)

She was the daughter of Don Pablo Ortiga, a former mayor of Manila. Rizal composed a lovely poem on August 22, 1883 dedicated to her, entitled A La Señorita C.O.y.P (to Miss C.O.y.P) expressing his admirations for her. Before Rizal romance with Consuelo could blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed out because his compatriots, Eduardo de Lete, apparently had his eye on Consuelo and Rizal is still engaged with Leonora Rivera.

GERTRUDE BECKETT (1886)

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. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was the oldest of the three Charles Beckett daughters. Rizal affectionately called her “Gettie”, in reciprocation; she fondly called him “Pettie”. Gettie was apparantly keen on Rizal, helping him with his artwork. Rizal finished her awrtwork "Prometheus Bbound", "The Triumph of death over Life", and "The Triumph of Science over Death" with the help of Gettie. Rizal suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life.

SEIKO USUI (1888)

Rizal called her "O-Sei-San",a pretty Japanese girl that Rizal saw walking past the legation gate. She worked at the Spain Legation in Tokyo, Japan, she was 23 then when she met the 27-year-old Rizal. The beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San. Later on she married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of chemistry, and was blessed by only one child—Yuriko.

PETITE SUZANNE JACOBY (1889)

Suzanne was a Belgian woman who was the niece of the landladies of the bording house where Rizal stayed in Brussels. In time, they fell deeply in love with each other. Rizal found certain bliss in the company of this pretty Belgian girl. Rizal might flirted with Petite Suzanne, but he could not stoop low to a deceptive amorous relationship. She fell in love with Rizal and cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid. Suzanne wondered if Rizal even thought about her, and resigned herself to the fact that she might bot see him again.

NELLIE/NELLY BOUSTED (1891)

Nellie was the daughter of British businessman, Eduardo Bousted, and was a half Filipina. She was also the fiancee of Antonio Luna. Rizal found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament, and morally upright. Rizal had been friends with her family, and he used to fence with Nellie and her sister Adelina at Juan Luna's studio. Rizal wrote to his intimate friends, except Professor Blumentritt, of his love for Nellie and his intention to propose marriage to her. But the failed for because he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be converted to Protestantism, as Nellie demanded, and Nellie’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law.

JOSEPHINE BRACKEN (1895)

Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was Josephine Bracken born in Hong Kong on October 3, 1876 of Irish parents—James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison and Elizabeth Jane Macbride. She was adopted daughter of George Taufer from Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek Rizal for eye treatment. Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight. After a whirlwind romance for one month, they agreed to marry but Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused to marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu. Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands together and married themselves before the eyes of God. They lived as man and wife in Dapitan.

In the early part of 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was expecting a baby. Unfortunately, she prematurely gave birth to an eight-month baby boy who loved only for three hours. The lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor of Don Francisco (hero’s father) and was buried in Dapitan. After Rizal's death, she married Vicente Abad and they had a daughter named Dolores. Some says that she eventually returned to the Philippines and lived in Cebu with her husbund and taught English at various institutions. Josephine died of tuberculosis at the age of 25.

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