PHILOSOPHY may be defined as the study and pursuit of facts that deal with the ultimate reality or causes of things as they affect life. The philosophy of a country like the Philippines is made up of the intricate and composite interrelationship of the life histories of its people; in other words, the philosophy of our nation would be strange and undefinable if we do not delve into the past tied up with the notable life experiences of the representative personalities of our nation. Being one of the prominent representatives of Filipino personalities, Jose Rizal is a fit subject whose life philosophy deserves to be recognized. Having been a victim of Spanish brutality early in his life in Calamba, Rizal had thus already formed the nucleus of an unfavorable opinion of the Castillian imperialistic administration of his country and people. Pitiful social conditions existed in the Philippines as late as three centuries after his conquest of Spain, with agriculture, commerce, communications, and education languishing under its most backward state. It was because of this social malady that social evils like inferiority complex, cowardice, timidity, and false pride pervaded nationally and contributed to the decay of social life. This stimulated and shaped Rizal’s life philosophy to be to contain if not eliminate these social ills.

Philosophies In Life

Education

Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biñan. It was a typical schooling that a son of an ilustrado family received during his time, characterized by the four R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. Instruction was rigid and strict. Knowledge was forced into the minds of the pupils by means of the tedious memory method aided by the teacher’s whip. Despite the defects of the Spanish system of elementary education, Rizal was able to acquire the necessary instruction preparatory for college work in Manila. It may be said that Rizal, who was born a physical weakling, rose to become an intellectual giant not because of, but rather in spite of, the outmoded and backward system of instruction obtained in the Philippines during the last decades of the Spanish regime.

Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines and a Malayan national hero, was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children, both educated and from distinguished families. Rizal was an artist at the age of 3, and at the age of 5, he wrote a Tagalog poem about the love of one's language. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo Municipal de Manila at 16, enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, and passed the Surveyor's examination at 17. He also enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop due to discrimination.

Rizal traveled extensively in Europe, America, and Asia, mastering 22 languages and being an expert swordsman. He published several works with highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies, such as NOLI ME TANGERE, SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS, and EL FILIBUSTERISMO. Rizal was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892, to July 15, 1892, on charges of anti-friar pamphlets found in his sister Lucia's luggage. While in exile, he engaged in agriculture, fishing, business, and education. He also taught English and Spanish languages, and constructed water dams and relief maps of Mindanao.

Rizal's sincerity, friendliness, intelligence, humility, and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies. When the Philippine Revolution began on August 26, 1896, his enemies pressured him down, and he was executed on December 30, 1896.

José Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

In Calamba, Laguna

19 June 1861
- JOSE RIZAL, the seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso y Quintos, was born in Calamba, Laguna.

22 June 1861
- He was baptized JOSE RIZAL MERCADO at the Catholic of Calamba by the parish priest Rev. Rufino Collantes with Rev. Pedro Casañas as the sponsor.

28 September 1862
- The parochial church of Calamba and the canonical books, including the book in which Rizal’s baptismal records were entered, were burned.

1864
- Barely three years old, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother.

1865
- When he was four years old, his sister Conception, the eighth child in the Rizal family, died at the age of three. It was on this occasion that Rizal remembered having shed real tears for the first time. "Sa Aking Mga Kabata." The poem was written in Tagalog and had its theme "Love of One’s Language."

1865 – 1867
- During this time his mother taught him how to read and write. His father hired a classmate by the name of Leon Monroy who, for five months until his (Monroy) death, taught Rizal the rudiments of Latin.

- At about this time, two of his mother’s cousins frequented Calamba. Uncle Manuel Alberto, seeing Rizal frail in body, concerned himself with the physical development of his young nephew and taught the latter a love for the open air and developed in him a great admiration for the beauty of nature, while Uncle Gregorio, a scholar, instilled into the mind of the boy love for education. He advised Rizal: "Work hard and perform every task very carefully; learn to be swift as well as thorough; be independent in thinking and make visual pictures of everything."

6 June 1868
- With his father, Rizal made a pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill the vow made by his mother to take the child to the Shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo should she and her child survive the ordeal of delivery which nearly caused his mother’s life.

From there they proceeded to Manila and visited his sister Saturnina who was at the time studying in the La Concordia College in Sta. Ana.

1869
- At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem entitled "Sa Aking Mga Kabata." The poem was written in Tagalog and had its theme "Love of One’s Language."

José Rizal: Early Childhood

The Rizal Family

FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)

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

TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)

Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)

The eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)

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

A Look into Dr. José Rizal's Story

STORY OF JOSÉ RIZAL

Welcome

to our immersive exploration of the life and times of one of the Philippines' most iconic figures—Dr. Jose Rizal. Join us as we journey through the chapters of his remarkable life, exploring deep into the inspiring story of a national hero, polymath, and catalyst for change.

Jose Rizal's life is a testament to the strong spirit of an intellectual and revolutionary who, through his writings, challenged the status quo and ignited a flame of patriotism that still burns brightly today. From his humble beginnings in Calamba to his journeys across the globe, we will unravel the many facets of his life, his ideals, and the profound impact he had on the Philippines and its fight for independence.

Through this website, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Rizal's historical significance, his contributions to literature and nationalism, and the enduring relevance of his ideals in the modern world. Join us on this enlightening voyage into the history of Jose Rizal and discover the man behind the legend.

Click 'Begin Your Literary Journey' to unravel the the story of Jose Rizal, his beliefs and where everything began.

Begin Your Literary Journey

STORY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

Jose Rizal may have been one to be the hero of the Philippines but it has not stopped him from experiencing love in his life. Through his life, several maidens that touched his heart, becoming the souls and inspirations for his creations. Their presence infused his works with the poignant beauty of love, adding depth and emotion to his legacy.

Philosophies In Life

Philosophies In Life

Education

Education

José Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

José Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

The Rizal Family

The Rizal Family

TEODORA ALONSO

FRANCISCO MERCADO

José Rizal: Early Childhood

José Rizal: Early Childhood

The Rizal Family

The Rizal Family

FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)

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

TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)

Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)

The eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)

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

A Look into Dr. José Rizal's Story

STORY OF JOSÉ RIZAL

STORY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

STORY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

LOVES OF DR. JOSE RIZAL

LOVES OF DR. JOSE RIZAL