RIZAL's LIFE: Family, childhood, and early education

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, during the Spanish colonial period. He was the seventh of eleven children in a well-off and educated family that valued learning, faith, and service. From a young age, Rizal showed exceptional intelligence and sensitivity, qualities that would later define his role as a national hero.

Don Francisco Mercado was born on May 11, 1818, in Biñan, Laguna, and studied Latin and Philosophy at the Colegio de San José. He was a hardworking farmer, known for his strong character and leadership as a former "Tiniente Kiko" or Lieutenant Governor of Calamba. As the father of José Rizal, he played a vital role in shaping his son's discipline, work ethic, and sense of responsibility. 

Doña Teodora Alonso, the mother of José Rizal, was born on November 8, 1826, in Santa Cruz, Manila, and received her education at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a cultured, intelligent, and business-minded woman, managing the family's enterprises and descending from Lakandula, the last native king of Tondo. As Rizal’s first teacher, she played a crucial role in shaping his early education, moral values, and love for literature. 

José Rizal had ten siblings, each contributing uniquely to his life and legacy. Saturnina, the eldest, helped with his early education, while Paciano, his only brother, mentored him and later became a general in the revolution. Narcisa supported Rizal emotionally and financially, even helping locate his unmarked grave after his execution. Olympia served as his confidante, Lucia faced injustice due to her connection to Rizal, and Maria was a trusted sister with whom he shared personal plans. Concepcion’s early death left a deep emotional impact on him, while Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad were involved in the nationalist cause—joining the Katipunan, preserving his final poem, and becoming an admired teacher, respectively. 

In Calamba, José Rizal received his early education at home, guided mainly by his mother and family tutors who taught him reading, writing, and basic religious lessons. He showed a keen interest in learning from a very young age, developing a strong foundation in literacy and discipline. Later, Rizal attended school in Biñan, where under the guidance of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, he honed his skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic, preparing him well for higher education. 

From 1872 to 1877, José Rizal studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he excelled academically and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors. He was known for his discipline, leadership, and exceptional skills in literature, philosophy, and languages. His time at Ateneo shaped his intellectual foundation and helped develop his critical thinking and writing abilities.

From 1877 to 1882, José Rizal studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. During his time there, he faced challenges including dissatisfaction with the teaching methods and racial discrimination. Because of these issues, Rizal decided to leave UST and continue his studies in Europe to pursue a more comprehensive education. 

In Europe, José Rizal continued his medical studies and earned his degree at the Universidad Central de Madrid in 1884. While in Europe, he also expanded his education by studying philosophy, letters, and multiple languages, including French, German, and Italian. Rizal’s time abroad exposed him to new ideas, liberal thinking, and the works of European intellectuals, which deeply influenced his views on reform and nationalism. 

José Rizal’s first homecoming to the Philippines was in 1887 after years of studying and traveling in Europe. He settled in Dapitan, where he worked as a teacher, doctor, and community leader, helping improve local education and health. During this peaceful period, Rizal quietly continued his efforts to inspire reform in the Philippines. 

Rizal’s second homecoming was in 1892 when he returned to Manila to continue his reform work. He founded La Liga Filipina, a group aimed at promoting peaceful social and political change. However, his activism alarmed the Spanish authorities, leading to his arrest and exile to Dapitan.