rizal family history essay

Jose Rizal Family

Jose Rizal’s thirteen-member-family consisted of his father Francisco Mercado II, his mother Teodora Alonso Realonda, himself, nine sisters and one brother.

Jose Rizal came from a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna, Considered one of the largest families in those times, the 13-member-family consisted of his father Francisco Mercado II, his mother Teodora Alonso Realonda, himself, nine sisters and one brother.

Rizal’s Lineage

The Rizal paternal ascendant was Domingo Lam-co, a full-blooded Chinese who lived in Amoy, China and arrived in the Philippines in the closing years of the 17th century. Domingo Lam-co was married to a Chinese half-breed named Ines de la Rosa. The Mercado-Rizal family had also Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Negrito blood aside from their Chinese blood.

Rizal’s Parents 

Jose Rizal’s father Francisco was the youngest of 13 children of Juan and Cirila Mercado. He was born in Binan, Laguna, studied in San Jose College of Manila and died in Manila.

Teodora, the mother of Jose Rizal, was a business-minded, religious and hard working individual who was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827. She was the second child of Brijida de Quintos and Lorenzo Alonso. Teodora had Spanish and Japanese ancestors while the father of Teodora was a half Spaniard engineer known as Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. Teodora died in Manila in 1913.

The parents of Jose Rizal were both farmers who were granted by the Dominicans with the lease of a hacienda together with a rice farm.

Rizal’s Siblings

Saturnina Rizal was the eldest of the offsprings of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda. She married Manuel Hidalgo who hailed from Tanauan, Batangas.

The only brother of Jose Rizal was Paciano Rizal and was the second child. Paciano studied at the San Jose College in Manila and worked as a farmer and later as a general of the Philippine Revolution.

The other sisters of Jose Rizal were Narcisa,Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad and Soledad. Soledad was the youngest child and later was married to Pantaleon Quintero.

How Jose Obtained the ‘Rizal’ Last Name

The Rizal surname was obtained by Francisco Mercado as suggested to him by a provincial governor after the Governor General of the Philippines, Narciso Claveria, issued a decree in 1849 by which native Filipino and immigrant families were to adopt Spanish surnames from a list of Spanish family names.

Jose Rizal also obtained the surname Rizal after dropping three other names that made up his full name. Jose Rizal also retained Protasio as his other family name. His family never actually recognized their Rizal surname, but Jose Rizal was forced to use it so that he can travel freely and disassociate himself from his brother Paciano, who was notorious because of his links with native priests who were executed after they were found to be subversives.

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José Rizal Family Tree

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family’s paternal ascendant was a 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 de la Rosa.

Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces 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.

FRANCISCO 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 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) Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930) 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.

NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939) The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.

OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887) The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.

LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919) The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.

MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945) The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896) The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.

CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865) The eight child. Died at the age of three.

JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945) The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951) The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929) The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.

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The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of the Philippines

Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the country.

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Humble beginnings

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had already learned the English alphabet. And, by the age of five, José could already read and write.

Upon enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now referred to as Ateneo De Manila University ), he dropped the last three names in his full name, after his brother’s advice – hence, being known as José Protasio Rizal. His performance in school was outstanding – winning various poetry contests, impressing his professors with his familiarity of Castilian and other foreign languages, and crafting literary essays that were critical of the Spanish historical accounts of pre-colonial Philippine societies.

A man with multiple professions

While he originally obtained a land surveyor and assessor’s degree in Ateneo, Rizal also took up a preparatory course on law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that his mother was going blind, he decided to switch to medicine school in UST and later on specialized in ophthalmology. In May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain , and earned his Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid.

Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe for about 10 years, he also became a polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

His novels awakened Philippine nationalism

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish friars.

While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people . As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of Spain.

But, among his best works , two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo ( The Reign of the Greed).

In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the authorities banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able to ban it completely. As more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the truth that they were suffering unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These two novels by Rizal, now considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.

Rizal’s unfateful days

Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization called the La Liga Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms through legal means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao .

This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and worked on agricultural projects such as using abaca to make ropes.

In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-General Blanco, after volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was accused of being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he was arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before the court martial. Rizal was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore, sentenced to death by firing squad.

Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final breath: “ Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical accounts , only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.

His legacy lives on

After his death, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. And with the assistance of the United States , the Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously being analyzed by students and professionals.

Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require their students to take a subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to commemorate his life and works. Filipinos look back at how his founding of La Liga Filipina and his two novels had an effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine Revolution. The people also recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution.

In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national hero can be found not only within the Philippines, but in selected cities around the world. A road in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan, Indonesia is named after him. The José Rizal Bridge and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated to the late hero.

Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a university (Rizal University), and a province named after him. Three species have also been named after Rizal – the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying dragon), Apogania rizali (a very rare kind of beetle with five horns) and the Rhacophorus rizali (a peculiar frog species).

To commemorate what he did for the country, the Philippines built a memorial park for him – now referred to as Rizal Park, found in Manila . There lies a monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place where he fell during his execution in Luneta.

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Sociological Theory Beyond the Canon pp 143–170 Cite as

José Rizal (1861–1896)

• Syed Farid Alatas 3  
• First Online: 26 March 2017

3028 Accesses

3 Citations

Rizal was a thinker and nationalist during the final days of the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. He lived a short life but was an exceptionally productive thinker, unmatched by anyone in Southeast Asia, perhaps even Asia. The construction of a social theory from Rizal’s works can be founded on three aspects of his substantive concerns. Firstly, we have his views on the nature and conditions of colonial society. Secondly, there is Rizal’s critique of colonial knowledge of the Philippines. Thirdly, there is his discussion on the meaning and requirements for emancipation.

• The enlightenment
• Colonial society
• Colonial knowledge
• Backwardness

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Alatas, S.F. (2017). José Rizal (1861–1896). In: Sociological Theory Beyond the Canon. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-41134-1_6

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Life of Jose Rizal

One of the most important historical events in the history of the Philippines is the life of a national hero who greatly influenced many Filipinos and had significant contributions in the development of Filipino nation. He is none other than, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado. The pride of the Malayan race was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. They used to call him “Pepe” as his nickname and he belonged to a big family of thirteen members including his parents. Rizal’s father, Francisco Mercado Rizal was a diligent and hard-working farmer whom Rizal called “a model of fathers.” His father’s hometown was in Biñan, Laguna. While his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos was a very successful woman whom Rizal called “loving and prudent mother.” His mother’s hometown was in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Rizal’s parents were both carreer-oriented persons, wealthy land owners, and they belonged to a recognized family. Rizal was the seventh child among his nine siblings, namely: Saturnina Rizal, eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage, Paciano Rizal, only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child,Narcisa Rizal, the third child, Olympia Rizal, the fourth child, Lucia Rizal, the fifth child, Maria Rizal, the sixth child, Concepcion Rizal, the eight child who died at the age of three, Josefa Rizal, the ninth child whose an epileptic, Trinidad Rizal, the tenth child who was the last of the family to dieand Soledad Rizal, the youngest child.

During his early childhood, Rizal showed dominant disposition in different areas as intellectual, creative, artistic and excelled in his academic fields. At an early age of three, he started to learn alphabet and prayers. When he reached the age of five, he learned how to read and write. At the age of eight, he wrote his first poem which was written in Tagalog. It was entitled, “Sa AkingMgaKababata.” The poem has a meaningful message which has a theme, “Love of One’s Language.” The first teacher of Rizal was his beloved mother. She played an important role in teaching him valuable lessons and she discovered that her son has a great potential. Her mother gave so much encouragement on Rizal’s passion in writing.Jose Rizal spent his early education in Calamba and Biñan, Laguna. The Spanish educational system was very complex but despite all the odds that he had to experience, Jose Rizal managed to accomplished all necessary requirements for college in Manila. His parents hired private tutors for Rizal and they were Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas and Leon Monroy.But the idea of employing private tutors didn’t satisfy his young mind’s eagerness for knowledge and the family started to complete their son’s admission to Ateneo Municipal de Manila. While he was studying in Manila, Jose Rizal took a degree in Land surveying and Assessment where he graduated with honors on March 14, 1877. He successfully passed the Licensure exam on the said course in 1878 and he was given a license when he reached the age of 21. It was the year 1878 when he completed his degree from Ateneo Municipal de Manila and he followed his passion in Arts. He had his admission at the Faculty of Arts and Letters which has a degree in Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas. Unfortunately, Jose Rizal had to set aside his degree in Philosophy when he heard his mother’s impending blindness so he needed to prioritize his mother’s situation. It made him decide to study Medicine and in it was year 1878 when he had his admission in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at University of Santo Tomas to specialize Ophthalmology.

Jose Rizal didn’t stop his burning passion and willingness to learn and it made him took the risk to leave the Philippines. On this scenario, Jose Rizal was known as a great Filipino traveller in the history. His first trip was on year 1882 which was bound to Spain. Having gone through many places, he learned nearly 22 languages like Latin, Spanish, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Dutch, Catalan, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian including his native languages and dialects. Rizal had travelled different countries and he’s been to Singapore, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, France, Spain, Gemany, Czech Republic, Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, U.S.A. and United Kingdom.These adventures of a hero serve as an important aspect of his education where he learned other nation’s culture and politics. These travels of Rizal have something to do with his desire to bring changes on his beloved native land and the struggles he had to conquer. Meanwhile, when Rizal was in Spain, he continued his degree in Medicine and Philosophy at the Universidad Central de Madrid. It was on year 1884 and 1885 that he finished his degrees, respectively, that were once denied to him by his Dominican professors while he was still studying in the Philippines. But even after the completion of these higher degrees, he was still not contented with his achievements. He eventually travelled to France and studied at the University of Paris.

He pursued his desire to further develop his knowledge in his chosen field of specialization which is Ophthalmology. He studied at the University of Heidelberg under the well-known eye specialist, Professor Otto Becker. During his stay in Spain, Rizal had significant recognitions on his different fields of study like land assessment, medicine, literature, sculpting, painting and architecture. As a painter, Rizal used oil, water color and crayons. He also made sketches using ink and pencil. On his sculpture, he used clay, wood, terra cotta, ivory, bas relief, wax and plaster. He even had created maps and plans in addition to his works. Aside from that he was also active in physical activities such as martial arts, fencing and pistol shooting. Rizal’s life was very remarkable and it is not surprising to think that he had a very interesting personality.

As a poet, Rizal wrote many meaningful poems dedicated to his personal relationship to others, love to his country and other aspects of his life. These poems include, Mi Ultimo Adios, To The Philippines, Our Mother Tongue, Memories Of My Town, Hymn to Labor, Kundiman, A Poem That Has No Title, Song Of Maria Clara, To The Philippines Youth, To Josephine, Education Gives Luster To The Motherland, To The Virgin Mary and Sa akingMgaKababata.

Apart from these achievements of Rizal, there were also romantic side of Rizal’s story that gave spice and colour on his life. Jose Rizal gained so many friends on his journey and lovers as well. He had romantic relationships with at least nine significant women in his life, namely,SegundaKatigbak, Leonor Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby and Josephine Bracken. These women might have been impressed by his witty personality and charisma. SegundaKatigbak was Rizal’s first puppy love and she was unfortunately engaged to his town-mate. Eventually, Rizal met Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan whom he visited on the night of his departure to Spain and bid her a last goodbye. On the other hand, Leonor Rivera, Rizal’s lover for 11 years played the greatest influenced to Rizal in keeping him from having romantic relationships with other women during his travel. Sad to say, Leonor’s mother didn’t have an approval on their relationship and she even hid Rizal’s love letters for Leonor Rivera. Believing that Rizal had already forgotten their long-term relationship, her mother consented her to marry an Englishman. Among these women of Jose Rizal, he ended up marrying Josephine Bracken, an 18-year-old petite Irish girl. Rizal met this girl with a happy disposition in the last days of February 1895 while he was still in Dapitan. Josephine Bracken was an adopted daughter of George Taufer who came from Hong Kong to aid his eye problem and seek for an eye treatment. Jose Rizal fell in love with Josephine and he had a physical attraction to her. But the sisters of Rizal had doubt the sincerity and loyalty of Josephine because they were worried the she was a secret agent of the friars and they considered her as a threat to Rizal’s security. Their mutual feelings for each other were good and enough reason to continue their relationship. Josephine Bracken took consideration about her responsibility to his blind father although Rizal asked her to marry him. Since Taufer’s blindness was not curable, he went back to Hong Kong on March 1895. Josephine decided to stay with Rizal’s family in Manila. Rizal returned in Dapitan and arranged their marriage through Father Antonio Obach. However, the priest demanded Rizal to cover up something as a precondition in order to marry them. Upon the advice of Rizal’s family and with Josephine’s consent, Rizal took Josephine as his wife even without the blessings of the Church. Josephine Bracken gave birth to a premature baby and as a result had caused her to get frightened and shocked.

As a young man during his time, Jose Rizal was very much aware of his surroundings and the difficult situations of his fellowmen under the Spanish colonial government. He was aware about the tragic scenarios of how the government treated his native land. He had even witnessed the unfair treatment of the Spanish authorities to his family members especially to his older brother, Paciano, a man who had been connected toFilipino priests,  Gomez, Burgos and Zamora , popularly known as GomBurZa who sought reform within the Catholic church in support of equal rights for Filipinos and Spanish priests. Her beloved mother was also accused by the Spanish authorities of attempted poisoning on her cousin. Her mother was sent to prison in Sta. Cruz, Laguna and was made to walk sixteen kilometres from their home to all the way to jail. Teodora Mercado was detained two and a half yearsuntil a successful appeal at the highest court of the Spanish government cleared her of the charges.

When he was still in Europe where he lived in ten years, Rizal wrote his novel entitled, “Noli Me Tangere.” In   He wrote his novel using the Spanish Language and it was published in Berlin, Germany in 1887. The significant story of his novel tells about a young Filipino man who travelled to Europe in order to study and returned to his native land with truth on his eyes against the injustices and corruption of government. For Rizal, Spain was a perfect place in reaching and realizing his dreams. After finishing his studies in Madrid, he realized that it was the start of a wider part of his ambition. It awakened him to deeply understand human nature and that his fellow Filipino people needed him. During the re-organizational meeting of the Circulo-Hispano-Filipino, he was encouraged to pursue the publication of his book where the members would give contributions on different aspects and conditions of the Philippines.

On his novel, “Noli Me Tangere,” Rizal emphasized the characters of different personalities between oppressors and oppressed. He gave attention on his novel to those Filipinos who had adopted the customs and traditions of the foreign colonizers and taking for granted their own nationality. His novel also centers on Spanish friars in robes who were described as being lascivious and having selfish desires for wealth in order to satisfy their own needs. The novel also presents the poor and uneducated members of the society who suffered under the cruelty of the Spanish authorities on their own native land.

When Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines, he was urgently called by the Governor General of the Philippine islands to further give explanations about the accusations against him that he established a rebellion. Rizal was brave enough to face the charges against him and he openly defended himself. Although he was discharged, his name remained on the watch list of the Spanish colonial government. Despite the negative reaction to his novel “Noli Me Tangere,” Rizal did not think it as a distraction to write his second novel. In 1891, his second novel was published entitled, “El Filibusterismo.” On his first novel whose character named Ibarra was a peacemaker, the significant character named Simeon on the novel “El Filibusterismo” was more militant. Both characters on Rizal’s novel lead to the same end where they both wanted to achieve significant changes in the system of the Spanish colonial government. The word ”filibusterismo” was written by Rizal to his friend named Blumentritt who was not so much well-known in the Philippines. Inspired by what the word ”filibusterismo”, Rizal’s second novel was dedicated to the three martyred priests as his adoration to their contributions and to pay respect to their good deeds.

Upon his return to the Philippines in 1892, Rizal arrested and jailed by the Spanish authorities for getting involved in the rebellion against the government. He was eventually exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao, the southernmost island group in the Philippines. Jose Rizal had a very peaceful life during his stay in Dapitan. He even sent a letter to his friend, Blumentritt describing the serenity of the place. During his exiled in Dapitan, Jose Rizal built a school that taught young boys the English language. He also worked on agricultural projects on abaca and he didn’t stop to practice medicine.He experienced how to be a farmer and a merchant and he earned a prize from the Manila lottery where he used it in building three houses made of bamboo, wood and nipa.

Rizal’s life after his peaceful life in Dapitan focused on how he spent every moment by letting his loved ones know every detailed happening that he was going through. During the dawn of Manila bay, he was not able depart for Spain because the Isla de Luzon which Rizal supposed to board left early before they arrived in Manila.During these days, he instructed his family members how they could visit him and requested his sister, Narcisa to buy fruits for the cruise officers who treated him well. He also wrote Narcisa a letter, thanking her for the hospitality when she lets Josephine bracken stayed in her house.

On August 30, 1896, governor Ramon Blanco sent a letter of recommendation to the Minister of war stating that Rizal had shown exceptional conduct during his stay in Dapitan and that he had no connection with the Philippines revolution.

At around six in the evening, Rizal was transferred to the boat Isla de Panay and he was assisted by the Captain of the boat named Capt. Alemany where he was given the best cabin. Later, Rizal wrote a letter to his beloved mother in order to let her know that he was in a good condition on board to the ship. He informed his mother about his departure to Cuba and extending his comfort that everybody is in the hands of the Divine Providence. Aside from that, Rizal also asked his sisters to take good care of their aged parents just like what they wanted their children to do and love them.

Rizal was given privileged by governor Genera Ramon Blanco to travel in Cuba which was another Spanish colony during his time. He was requested to support and give medical missions to eliminate an outbreak of yellow fever. On the way to Cuba, Rizal got arrested in Barcelona due to political accusations of the friars and he saw the replacement from Blanco to Camilo de Polavieja. Jose Rizal was brought back to the Philippines to face charges of rebellion against him where he was found guilty in establishing rebellion and taking part in revolutionary movement against the Spanish colonial government. He was eventually sentence to death.

During the last hours of Rizal, he spent his last moments without worrying about the difficult situation that he was facing. On Dec. 29, 1896, around 6:00 to 7:00 A.M., Sr. Mataix requested and asked permission from Rizal to interview him. It was Capt. Dominguez who read the death sentence of Rizal. Around 7:00 to 8:00 in the morning, Rizal was transferred to his death cell. After an hour, Rizal shared his milk and coffee with Fr. Rosell, Lt. Andrade and chief of Artillery. Eventually, Rizal scribbles a note inviting his family to visit him.

A night before Rizal’s execution, he slept peacefully because he was confident in the goodness of God and his faith strengthens him despite of his nearly death. On the day of his execution, Rizal picked up imitation of Christ, reads,meditates and then writes to his wife Josephine and by this very act in itself he gives to her their only certificate of marriage. Around 5:00 in the morning, Rizal washed up, took breakfast and attended to his personal needs. He also wrote a letter to his parents, read the bible and meditate. Unfortunately, his wife Josephine Bracken was restricted by the Spanish authorities in seeing Rizal. Rizal walked to the place of execution between Fr. March and Fr. Villaclara. On December 30, 1896 at 7:00 in the morning, his final day of execution, Rizal kept looking around as if looking for someone and expecting someone to see. The hero’s last words, said in a loud voice: “It is finished.” The sounds of guns of the firing squad were heard and Rizal turned halfway around falls down backwards and lies on the ground facing the sun.

The legacy of the of the national hero, Jose Rizal not just only centers on his intelligence, personality and ideals but it he was also worthy to be named as a national hero because of his patriotism, optimism, his inevitable love to his country and his belief in his fellowmen which made him different from others. Rizal not just only believed on the independence of his beloved country but more importantly, the potential of his fellow Filipinos to overcome the unjust Spanish colonial government. For this reason, he truly deserve and earned his symbol as a national hero of the Philippines.

Rizal also had a contribution in terms of his philosophies which was made known to his legacy as a national hero. The philosophy of Rizal in education focuses on the proper motivation to cultivate the young minds’ intelligence. He also had his religious philosophy that made him a better person and servant of God as he belonged to a nurtured Catholic family. When it comes to his political philosophy, he believed that as a victim of colonization, the Philippines should developed and be civilized. His ethical philosophy, however, has something to do with human behaviour and focuses between good or bad and right or wrong. The social philosophy of Rizal, on the other hand includes the wisdom based on his personal experience.

Finally, Jose Rizal was greatly known throughout the Philippines as the national hero in the Philippine history and his life, works and writings continually serve as an inspiration to many young Filipinos. He was very well-known for his brilliance, courage and compassion in bringing significant and memorable contributions to the native land.

References:

http://www.joserizal.com

http://www.joserizal.ph

copyright 2018 Journal of Innovation & Social Change

• Life Journey
• Life Lessons

Rizal Family: A Complete Overview

Embedded firmly within Philippine history, the Rizal family assumes a foundational role, constituting a rich mosaic of distinct individuals whose combined narratives encapsulate the essence of the nation's unyielding resolve and unwavering spirit. Central to this narrative were Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso, parents who ingrained the principles of learning, love for country, and societal accountability within their offspring. This heritage found its most profound embodiment in the form of Dr. Jose Rizal, a polymath who ignited transformative shifts.

Saturnina and paciano, elder siblings of jose, assumed essential roles in bolstering his principles. saturnina embraced a maternal role, while paciano's commitment extended to his involvement in the katipunan, a society championing philippine autonomy. the family's chronicle was marked by a blend of victory and misfortune, with figures like narcisa and lucia tending to their kin amidst challenging circumstances., the rizal family's threads were woven with love, sacrifice, and a shared vision of a liberated philippines. their legacy continues to inspire as a beacon of unity and courage, reminding the nation of the power that lies in family bonds and collective aspirations for a better future., francisco mercado rizal, francisco mercado, a vital figure in philippine history, was not only the father of jose rizal but also a source of inspiration and guidance that molded the young national hero's character. born into a family of chinese descent, francisco was a prosperous farmer and merchant from biñan, laguna. his humble origins and dedication to hard work instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility and perseverance, values he would pass on to his children., in his role as a father, francisco comprehended the importance of education and took measures to guarantee his children's access to high-caliber learning. he placed faith in the transformative potential of knowledge and motivated them to strive for scholarly distinction. drawing from his personal journey as both a entrepreneur and an active community participant, he shared practical insights with his children, equipping them for the obstacles that awaited them in the future., francisco's role in shaping jose rizal's nationalist spirit cannot be understated. he nurtured in his son a sense of pride in their filipino heritage and a desire to see his homeland liberated from spanish oppression. through his teachings, francisco planted the seeds of patriotism that would later blossom in jose's writings and actions, ultimately influencing the course of philippine history.  , teodora alonso realonda rizal, teodora alonso, an extraordinary woman within her era, held a central position in molding the disposition and principles of her son, jose rizal, the revered hero of the philippines. originating from an esteemed lineage in manila, teodora inherited a heritage of intellect and resilience, which she bequeathed to her offspring. her role as a mother transcended the boundaries of their household, leaving an enduring impression on the annals of philippine history., teodora's commitment to education was unwavering. recognizing the importance of knowledge in fostering a better future, she nurtured her children's intellectual growth and moral development. her encouragement fueled jose's thirst for learning and instilled in him a lifelong commitment to social justice and national pride., despite facing personal trials and societal challenges, teodora remained steadfast in her values and principles. her strength and resilience in the face of adversity served as a powerful example for her children, especially jose. teodora's enduring legacy as a mother lies in her role as a source of unwavering support, instilling in her son the courage to challenge injustice and the determination to ignite change for the filipino people.  , saturnina rizal (neneng), saturnina rizal, the eldest sibling, shouldered considerable responsibility within the family due to her mother's vision issues. with her maternal instincts and strong character, she stepped into a caretaking role, helping manage the household and looking after her younger siblings. her dedication provided a stable foundation during a challenging time., alongside her familial duties, saturnina also embraced the institution of marriage, uniting with manuel t. hidalgo, which solidified her position as a devoted spouse and caring mother. her marriage to hidalgo created intersections within her brother's network, as manuel t. hidalgo was the sibling of the revolutionary writer jose ma. panganiban. this interweaving of connections underscores saturnina's impact on both her family and broader societal dynamics., saturnina's diverse life narrative exemplifies her importance extending beyond the boundaries of the rizal household. her maternal dedication and marriage alliance emphasize her pivotal contribution, not only in backing her family but also in engaging within larger social circles that contributed to shaping the prevailing philippine narrative.  , paciano rizal, paciano rizal, the second child and older brother of jose, shared a profound bond with his sibling. he played a crucial role in nurturing jose's ideals and initiatives, providing unwavering support as he embarked on his journey for social reform and philippine sovereignty. their close relationship fostered an environment of encouragement and mutual influence., paciano's commitment to his brother's vision extended beyond familial ties. his dedication to the cause of philippine independence led him to join the katipunan, a clandestine society devoted to liberating the nation from spanish colonial rule. his involvement showcased his conviction in his brother's ideals and his determination to actively contribute to the movement for change., paciano's dual roles as a devoted brother and a committed member of the katipunan exemplify his deep-rooted connection to both family and the broader struggle for freedom. his contributions spotlight the impact that familial bonds can have on shaping historical narratives, as well as the potency of personal commitment in advocating for societal transformation.  , narcisa rizal (sisa), narcisa rizal, the third offspring in the rizal lineage, charted her distinct journey by marrying antonio lopez, an unwavering educator. this marital bond not only linked her to the realm of learning but also heightened her position as a guardian and defender. with her compassionate nature, she embraced the duty of safeguarding her younger siblings, particularly in the aftermath of her distinguished brother jose rizal's heartrending execution., after jose's execution, narcisa stepped forward as a pillar of strength for her family. her compassionate nature guided her in caring for her siblings, offering them solace and guidance during a time of immense grief and uncertainty. her commitment to family unity and support shone brightly as she shouldered the emotional and practical burdens that arose., narcisa's journey from marriage into a central role within the family underscores the importance of resilience and family bonds during trying times. her devotion to her siblings and her capacity to provide care, both emotionally and practically, highlights the vital role that unity and compassion play in navigating even the most challenging chapters of life.  , olympia rizal (ypia), tragedy struck the rizal family with the loss of olympia rizal, their fourth child. sadly, olympia's life was cut short by illness during her youth, leaving a void that undoubtedly reverberated through the family. her untimely passing cast a somber shadow over the household, a reminder of life's fragility and the pain of young lives extinguished too soon., while olympia's time on earth was brief, her memory was undoubtedly cherished by her family. the grief they experienced served as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the preciousness of every moment shared. in her absence, olympia became a symbol of the fleeting nature of existence, urging those around her to cherish their loved ones and hold onto the moments they had together., olympia's tale, though concise, stands as a poignant testament to the fragility of human existence and the lasting influence of even the briefest voyages. her recollection acts as evidence to the profound feelings and connections that unite families, even when confronted with grief and departure.  , lucia rizal (lucing), lucia rizal, the fifth child and the last to carry the rizal surname, embarked on a new chapter of her life through marriage to mariano herbosa, a filipino-chinese lawyer. her union with mariano connected her to the legal and societal realms, presenting her with opportunities to engage in a broader network of relationships and knowledge., as lucia transitioned into married life, her connection to the rizal legacy persisted. despite taking on a new surname, her roots in the family's history remained a fundamental part of her identity. her ties to her renowned brother, jose rizal, undoubtedly continued to shape her perspective and interactions, providing her with a unique lens through which to navigate her experiences., lucia's marriage to mariano herbosa represents not only a personal journey but also a point of intersection between familial ties and her role within the wider community. her story underscores the intricate interplay between individual paths and shared history, highlighting how personal choices can ripple through generations, contributing to the fabric of collective memory.  , maria rizal (biang), maria rizal, the sixth child of the rizal family, entered the world with a brief presence. tragically, her time on earth was fleeting, as she passed away shortly after birth. her arrival and departure marked a poignant moment of both joy and sorrow for her parents and siblings, encapsulating the fragility of life and the heartache of loss., although maria's existence was fleeting, her memory lived on within the family's narrative. her brief presence left an indelible mark, serving as a poignant reminder of the preciousness of every life, no matter how fleeting. her story underscores the delicate balance between life's joys and its sorrows, encapsulating the raw emotions that accompany both beginnings and endings., maria's story is a testament to the profound impact that even the shortest of lives can have on those they touch. her memory serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate tapestry of human existence, where even the smallest threads contribute to the richness of the whole. in her brief journey, maria rizal touched the hearts of her family, leaving an enduring imprint that resonates through the passage of time.  , the seventh offspring of the rizal household, jose rizal, ascended as a legendary presence within philippine chronicles. his revolutionary influence on the nation originates from his resolute dedication to championing societal change and the liberation of the philippines from the grasp of spanish colonial dominance. his remarkable intellectual acumen and pioneering concepts propelled him to a prominent position within the philippine nationalist surge., rizal's legacy is etched in his writings, particularly his novels "noli me tangere" and "el filibusterismo," which exposed the injustices and abuses perpetuated by the spanish authorities. his eloquent expression of discontent resonated deeply with his fellow filipinos, igniting a fervor for change. rizal's influence extended beyond literature; he encouraged civic consciousness and sought to cultivate a sense of national identity among the filipino populace., rizal's lasting imprint is immortalized through his recognition as the philippines' national hero. as a forward-thinking guide who advocated for both learning and the unwavering filipino essence of fortitude, he has etched an unforgettable impression. his heritage serves as an ongoing wellspring of motivation for filipinos, urging them to pursue advancement, fairness, and togetherness, encapsulating the principles of a nation that has surmounted the constraints of time.  , concepcion rizal (concha), concepcion, the rizal family's eighth offspring, confronted a heartrending destiny, as she surrendered to illness during her youthful years. her fleeting existence stands as a touching testament to the delicate nature of life and the sorrow that can be instigated by the capricious nature of well-being. her departure draped her family in a shroud of sorrow, compelling them to confront the agonizing truth of bidding farewell to a cherished child., although concepcion's life was fleeting, her memory persisted as a testament to the profound impact that even the shortest lives can have on those around them. her presence, though brief, undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of her parents and siblings. the grief they experienced highlighted the bittersweet nature of life, where moments of joy can be interwoven with moments of heartache., concepcion's story serves as a reminder to cherish every moment and to appreciate the beauty and tenderness of life, even when faced with its impermanence. her memory lives on as a symbol of the delicate balance between joy and sorrow, and the resilience that families find in the face of adversity.  , josefa rizal (panggoy), josefa rizal, the ninth child of the rizal family, embarked on a journey of her own through marriage to silvestre ubaldo, a telegraph operator. her union with ubaldo bridged her connection to the evolving communication networks of her time. as a telegraph operator, ubaldo's role was vital in the transmission of information, aligning josefa with the advancements of the era., josefa's marriage signified a new chapter for her, one that extended her family's reach beyond their immediate circle. her connection to ubaldo reflects the interplay between personal relationships and societal progress. as communication technologies expanded, her husband's role became increasingly crucial, underlining the ways in which individuals' lives intersected with broader transformations., josefa's tale stands as evidence of the numerous avenues through which individual decisions intertwine with historical transformations. her matrimony encapsulates the layered complexity of familial ties and their capacity to harmonize with broader accounts. her voyage, though unique, was interwoven into the tapestry of a swiftly evolving realm, highlighting the nuanced interplay between personal existences and shifts within society., trinidad rizal, trinidad rizal, born in calamba, laguna on november 13, 1868, was the younger sister of josé rizal, the renowned national hero of the philippines. growing up in a family characterized by intellectual prowess and a strong desire for societal transformation, trinidad played a pivotal role in observing her brother's forward-looking aspirations. through a close bond with josé, she actively supported his creative and literary undertakings, thus playing an unspoken yet significant role in shaping his enduring impact., trinidad's significance extended beyond her family role. during josé rizal's exile in dapitan, trinidad and her sister maria supported him, providing companionship during his isolation. her commitment deepened after josé's execution, as she emerged as a custodian of his memory. she safeguarded his letters, manuscripts, and personal items, ensuring that his ideals would endure. her dedication to preserving his legacy mirrored the broader spirit of the philippine revolution, encapsulating the nation's drive for freedom and identity., trinidad rizal's long life spanned crucial epochs of philippine history. her passing on november 11, 1951, at the age of 82 marked the end of an era. as a steadfast guardian of her brother's work and aspirations, trinidad rizal played an unsung yet integral role in shaping the philippines' understanding of its past and inspiring its journey toward a future defined by independence and self-determination., popular post.

El Filibusterismo: 8 Takeaways from Don Custodio

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A Critical Essay on the Question of Rizal's Heroism and Significance to Philippine History and Nationalism

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This is the Reflection Paper on Prof. Renato Constano's article titled, “Veneration Without Understanding” Jose Rizal’s Heroism and the significance he did in Philippine History. I was shocked by some of the parts revealed that let changed my beliefs and perspective about our national hero. Reading his article revealed some mysteries of our history that were not taught in the lower grade. I thought that my idea about our country’s history was enough. However, to his revelations, some parts of history are hidden from people which is few only can know. In his paper, he revealed the history because Jose Rizal became our national hero.

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Senator Claro M. Recto was the first to formally outline the contours of Filipino nationalism when he lobbied in Congress the 1956 Rizal Bill. The said bill mandated students to study the life and works of Filipino hero José Rizal, providing students the opportunity to revisit the period where the concept of a Filipino nation first developed. Radical intellectuals and nationalist academics, however, saw this Recto breakthrough as germinal to decolonize or reshape the concept of Filipino nation and identity subjugated in colonial-oriented historiography and historicism, but this feat ardently trajected to an unanticipated resurgence of nationalism. The period of the 1950s to the 1970s was dominated by three prominent ‘nationalist’ historians: Teodoro Agoncillo, Renato Constantino, and Horacio de la Costa, S.J. This paper hopes to explore how they reinterpreted the study of Philippine history, the positives it contributed to the development of postwar nationalist thought, likewise, highlight the negatives it produced.

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Rizal's works had an undeniable influence on Philippine society. It shaped the country into what it is today. But should we really consider him as the highlight of Philippine history? Constantino's Veneration Without Understanding opened arguments that showed Rizal's individuality and the circumstances that make or break his Filipino integrity. This paper serves as the conclusion to the author's growing knowledge of the infamous Philippine hero. It answers the question, "Does Rizal deserve to be our national hero?"

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