Who is Rizal?

Who is Rizal?  

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José Protasio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda or popularly known as José Rizal An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after an anticolonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. He was the author of the novels:  Noli Me Tángere  El Filibusterismo

Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jose Rizal 

1. There are three animals named after Rizal. These species of animals were the ones he collected while he was an exile in Dapitan and include Apogonia Rizali (Heller), a type of small beetle; Draco Rizali (Wandolleck), a species of flying dragon; and Rachophorous Rizali (Boetger), a species of toad.

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2. Contrary to popular belief, the Rizal monument in Luneta was not made by a Filipino artist. The design was the work of Swiss sculptor named Richard Kissling who won second prize in an art competition that was held in 1907 to find the best scale model for the future Rizal monument. The first prize went to Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli of Carrara but for some reason, the contract to build the monument was given to the second-prize winner.

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3. Rizal cured himself of tuberculosis, and was later recognized as a tuberculosis expert.

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4. He was already a terrific sculptor even at a very young age. In fact, Rizal carved a 9-inch statuette of the Sacred Heart out of batikuling wood when he was only 14 years old. The Jesuit fathers brought this statuette in Fort Santiago when they visited Rizal in December 1896. Aside from wood sculptures, Rizal also carved 40 amazing masterpieces out of plaster, terra-cotta, wax, and clay.

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5. When he was studying in Spain, Rizal had to pawn a ring owned by his sister Saturnina just to pay for his exams. But he didn’t want his family to get worried, so he only mentioned his victories and excellent grades in the letters addressed to his family.

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6. According to Faustino “Tinong” Alfon, Rizal’s former cook in Dapitan, our national hero’s favorite fruits were lanzones and mangoes. His meals back then usually consisted of three kinds of ulam. Rizal’s breakfast, on the other hand, was usually comprised of hot chocolate, rice, and sardinas secas, commonly known now as simply tuyo.

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7. Rizal once sent a love letter written in invisible ink to Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. The message could only be deciphered if you put the letter over a lamp or candle. Leonor Valenzuela was one of Rizal’s first sweethearts. Unfortunately, they parted ways when Rizal had to leave for Spain.

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8. Rizal who, in his travels to Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, was impressed with the success of a new economic movement which transformed the economic and social life of the Europeans. After his side trip to Sandakan, Borneo in 1892, Rizal requested Governor General Despujol to allow him to move with some relatives and friends to that place and establish therein a colony under the cooperative production and marketing plan of Robert Owen, who is acknowledged as the father of world cooperation. Instead, he was arrested for treason and banished to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. In Dapitan, Rizal had his ideas in cooperation partially fulfilled. He put up a school for the poor community on a purely cooperative basis. He also established a cooperative store with the help of his pupils. One noteworthy group organized by Rizal was the La Sociedad de los Abacaleros (Society of Abaca Producers). This functioned for only one year. Rizal returned the members share capital without any loss.

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9. Rizal's first favorite novel/book:  -Count of Monte Cristo

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10. Rizal's favorite flower: Santan

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11. Favorite Fruit of Jose Rizal: Atis/ Sugar-apple

Favorite Foods of Jose Rizal: 

Ginisang Mungo with Tinapa

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Dr. Rizal was adventurous with food, enjoying simple local fare as well as the sophisticated European cuisines.

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Moules a la Mariniere, or mussels cooked in white wine, is reminiscent of the dishes that Dr. Rizal enjoyed when he lived in France to work as

an ophthalmologist and to hone his skills in music. Photo courtesy of Century Park Hotel. 

Suman and Manga

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the dried fish called tuyo and fried rice, Jose Rizal's favorite breakfast

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First time: Mexican Adobo Manok with Bisol

Favorite Park in Spain: Parque del Buen Retiro  Rizal was inspired to name his place of exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga as " Mi Retiro"

Rizal law 

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. The full name of the law is An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses On the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, Particularly His Novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes. The measure was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines due to the anti-clerical themes in Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.

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Senator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill. He sought to sponsor the bill at Congress. However, this was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic Church. During the 1955 Senate election, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-Catholic. After Recto's election, the Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would violate freedom of conscience and religion

Author of the Rizal Law: Claro M. Recto (Feb. 8, 1890- Oct. 2 1960) 

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a fraternal and cultural organization created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. Established on December 30, 1911, the organization was granted a legislative charter by the President of the Philippines as a civic and patriotic organization on 14 June 1951 by Republic Act 646.

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The Republic act 646 was sponsored by Congressman Manuel Zosa of Cebu and was signed into law by President Elpidio Quirino. It was founded by Colonel Antonio C. Torres who would later serve as the first

Filipino Chief of Police of Manila. It is characterized not only as a civic and patriotic but also as cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan and nonracial organization as well. 

Since its founding, the Order has grown to over 10,000 members belonging to over fifteen chapters located in several countries around the world including Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, France (four Chapters), Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and the United States.[Its international headquarters is located along Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.

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R.A. 646 Charter Of The Knights Of Rizal Second Congress Of The Republic Of The Philippines

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The Order of the Knights of Rizal SCHOLARSHIP

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Search for the Top Ten Jose Rizal Model Students in the Philippines  The Search for Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines is an annual competition aimed at giving recognition to the ten outstanding college students of the Philippines who best embody Rizal's excellence in academics and campus leadership qualities in campus and community involvement , especially the Rizalian virtue of patriotism and love of country.

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conferment of the Rizal Women of Malolos Medal to beauty queen, public servant, heritage advocate and author Lady Gemma Cruz Araneta by the Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Sir Jerry Singson, KGCR and the Supreme Council yesterday, 30 December 2015, 119th death anniversary of Jose Rizal.

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The Women of Malolos is the highest citation that the Knights give annually to a woman of exceptional achievement who has exemplified the ideals of Rizal.

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Recently, Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of Jean Marc Ayrault, the former Prime Minister of France, received the award.

ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO Dr. Jose Rizal Hero and Political Martyr

                

Physician  Economist Poet  Geographer Dramatist  Cartographer Essayist  Bibliophile Novelist  Philologist Historian  Grammarian Architect  Folklorist Painter  Philosopher Sculptor  Translator Educator  Inventor Linguist  Magician Musician  Humorist Naturalist  Satirist Ethnologist  Polemicist Surveyor  Sportsman Engineer  Traveler Farmer  Prophet businessman The Birth of a Hero “I was born in Calamba on 19 June, 1861, between eleven and midnight, a few days before full moon. It was a Wednesday and my coming out in this vale of tears would have cost my mother her life had she not vowed to the virgin of Antipolo to take me to her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage.” - Dr. Jose Rizal 0 June 22, 1861 – At the age of three days old, he was baptized in the Catholic church of his town. 0 Father Rufino Collantes – parish priest who baptized Rizal, a Batangueño. 0 Father Pedro Casanas – godfather (ninong) of Rizal, native of Calamba and close friend of his family. 0 “Jose” – chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph). During the christening ceremony… “Take good care of this child, for someday he will become a great man.” – Father Collantes 0 Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery - the governor general of the Philippines when Rizal was born (from February 2, 1861 to July 7,

1862), former senator of Spain (member of the upper chamber of the Spanish Cortes). 0 His achievements as governor general were: 0 Fostering the cultivation of cotton in the province. 0 Establishing the politico-military governments in the Visayas and Mindanao. Rizal’s Parents THE HERO’S FATHER. 0 Don Francisco Mercado Rizal – born in Biñan, Laguna, on May 11, 1818. 0 College of San Jose in Manila - studied Latin and Philosophy 0 He moved to Calamba and became a tenant-farmer of the Dominicanowned hacienda. 0 January 5, 1898 – he died in Manila at the age of 80. 0 “A model of fathers.” THE HERO’S MOTHER 0 Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda – born in Manila on November 8, 1826. 0 She studied at the College of Santa Rosa. 0 Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of 85.

The Rizal Children  Don Francisco and Doña Teodora had 11 children – two boys and 9 girls.   

SATURNINA – oldest of the Rizal children. Neneng - nickname She married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.

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PACIANO – older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal. Joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general. Died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79. Had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena) a boy and a girl

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NARCISA - her pet name was Sisa and married Antonio Lopez, a school teacher of Morong.

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OLIMPIA – Ypia was her pet name; she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila.

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LUCIA – married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba.

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MARIA – Biang was her nickname; she married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

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JOSE – the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius Pepe – his nickname During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong; had a son by her, but this baby boy died a few hours after birth; Jose named him “Fransico” after his father and buried him in Dapitan.

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CONCEPCION - her pet name was Concha; died of sickness at the age of three; her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.

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JOSEFA- her pet name was Panggoy; died an old maid in 1945 aged 80.

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TRINIDAD – her pet name was Trining; died in 1951. aged 83

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SOLEDAD – youngest of the Rizal children; her pet name was Choleng; married Panteleon Quintero of Calamba.

0 Rizal’s relation to his only brother Paciano was more than that of younger to older brother. 0 Paciano was a second father to him. 0 Jose immortalized him in his first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasyo. 0 He regarded Paciano as the “most noble of Filipinos” and “though an Indio, more generous and noble than all Spaniards put together” 0 “He is much finer and more serious than I am; he is bigger and more slim; he is not so dark; his nose is fine, beautiful and sharp; but he is bow-legged.” Rizal’s Ancestry 0 Rizal was a product of mixture of races. 0 In his veins flowed the blood of both east and West – Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.

Predominantly, he was a Malayan and magnificent specimen of Asian manhood. 0 Domingo Lameo- Rizal’s great-great-grandfather on his father’s side. A Chinese immigrant from the Fukien City of Changchow, who arrived in Manila about 1690. 0 Domingo Lameo became a Christian, married a Chinese Christian girl of Manila named Ines de la Rosa. 0 Assumed the surname Mercado in 1731, which was appropriate because he was a merchant. The Spanish term “mercado” means “market”. 0 Domingo Mercado and Ines de la Rosa had a son, Francisco Mercado, who resided in Biñan, married a Chinese-Filipino mestiza, Cirila Bernacha, and was elected gobernadorcillo (municipal mayor) of the town. 0 One of their sons, Juan Mercado (Rizal’s grandfather), married Cirila Alejandro, a Chinese-Filipino mestiza. 0 Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had 13 children, the youngest being Francisco Mercado, Rizal’s father. 0 Francisco Mercado studied in Manila and met and eventually fell in love with Teodora Alonso Realonda. They were married on June 28, 1848, and settle down in Calamba, where they engaged in farming and business and reared a big family. 0 It is said that Doña Teodora’s family descend from Lakan Dula, the last native king of Tondo. 0 Doña Teodora’s great-grandfather was Eugenio Ursua (of Japanese ancestry), who married a Filipina named Benigna. Their daughter, Regina, married Manuel de Quintos. One of the daughter of de Quintos and Regina was Brigida, who married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso. Their children were Narcisa, Teodora, Gregorio, Manuel and Jose.

THE SURNAME OF RIZAL 0 Mercado – the real surname of the Rizal. 0 Rizal’s family acquired a second surname – Rizal – which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna, who was a family friend. The Rizal Home 0 The house of the Rizal family was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during Spanish times. It was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard woods, and roofed with red tiles.

The Good and Middle-Class Family 0 Pricipalia – a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines, where Rizals’ family belong to. 0 It is one of the distinguished families in Calamba. 0 Rizal’s parents were able to live well by the dint of honest and hard work and frugal living. From the farms, which were rented from the Dominican Order, they harvested rice, corn, and sugarcane. They raised pigs, chickens, and turkeys in their backyard. 0 Doña Teodora managed a general goods store and operated a small flour-mill and a home-made ham press. 0 They owned a carriage, which was a status symbol of the ilustrados in Spanish Philippines and a private library (the largest in Calamba) which consisted of more than 1,000 volumes. Home Life of the Rizals 0 Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life. 0 Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their children, but they never spoiled them. 0 They were strict parents and trained their children to love God, to behave well, to be obedient, and to respect people, especially the old folks. 0 They give their children a sound spanking whenever they (children) got into mischief. 0 They believed in the maxim: “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” 0 Everyday, the Rizal heard mass in the town church. 0 They prayed daily at home – the Angelus and the Rosary. 0 After family prayers, all the children kissed the hands of their parents.