Rizal's Paternal Ancestry

Rizal's family tree on his father's side begins with his great-great-grandfather Domingo Lam-Co, a Chinese immigrant from Fujian who converted to Christianity at age 35. He adopted the surname "Mercado" (meaning "market") because he was a merchant. He married Ines Dela Rosa, daughter of a wealthy trader from Quanzhou.

The family continued to prosper through the generations. Rizal's great-grandparents were Francisco Mercado, who served as gobernadorcillo (town mayor), and Bernarda Monicha, a Chinese mestiza. His grandparents were Juan Mercado, also elected as gobernadorcillo in Biñan, and Cirila Alejandro, another Chinese mestiza.

Did you know? The Rizal family's original surname was actually Mercado, adopted in 1731. The surname "Rizal" was given to them by a Spanish provincial governor who was a family friend to distinguish them from other unrelated Mercado families.

Rizal's Maternal Ancestry and Parents

Rizal's maternal ancestry began with his great-great-grandparents Eugenio Ursua and Benigna. His great-grandparents were Manuel Facundo De Quintos (a lawyer) and Regina Ursua, while his maternal grandparents were Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo and Brigida De Quintos.

Rizal's father, Fernando Engracio "Kikoy" Rizal Mercado, was the youngest of 13 children. He worked as a farmer and businessman, serving as tiniente gobernadorcillo (lieutenant governor) in Calamba. José inherited his "free soul" trait from his father.

Rizal's mother, Teodora "Lolay" Alonso Realonda, married Francisco Mercado on June 28, 1848, and had 11 children. Her family adopted the surname Realonda following the Claveria decree of 1849, which changed Filipino native surnames. Notably, her family claimed descent from Lakandula, the last native king of Tondo.

Interesting fact! The Alonzo family had to adopt the surname "Realonda" due to a government decree in 1849 that required Filipinos to take Spanish surnames for better record-keeping and tax collection.

Rizal's Siblings (Part 1)

José was the seventh of eleven children in a tight-knit family. His eldest sister, Saturnina "Neneng," helped their mother educate young José. His only brother, Paciano "Ciano," became like a second father to him and was someone José deeply respected. Paciano later joined the Philippine Revolution after José's execution and served as a general under Emilio Aguinaldo.

Narcisa "Sisa" Rizal worked as a teacher and musician, helping to finance José's studies in Europe. She could recite almost all of his poems from memory, showing her dedication to her brother's work. Olympia "Ypia" was José's playful sister whom he loved to tease. She attended La Concordia College with Segunda Katigbak, José's early love interest, and even served as a mediator between the two.

Lucia "Lucing" married Mariano Herbosa, and both faced persecution. After her husband died of cholera in 1889 and was denied a Catholic burial because of his relation to José, the outraged Rizal wrote an article called "Una Profonacion" (A Profanation) in La Solidaridad attacking the friars for this injustice.

Think about it: Rizal's family faced significant hardships because of their association with him. How might this have affected José's feelings about his activism and writing?

Rizal's Siblings (Part 2)

Maria "Biang" was the sister José confided in about his desire to marry Josephine Bracken when other family members disapproved. She also heard his plans for establishing a Filipino colony in North Borneo. Her son Mauricio became one of José's pupils.

Concepcion "Concha," José's favorite sister, died at just three years old. They had played games together, and he shared children's stories with her. Her death was described as José's "first sorrow," showing how deeply it affected him.

The remaining sisters were equally remarkable. Josefa "Panggoy" suffered from epilepsy but still joined the Katipunan after José's death. Trinidad "Trining" became the custodian of José's greatest poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios" (My Last Farewell), which he hid in an alcohol stove and gave to her during his final prison visit. Soledad "Choleng," the youngest and best-educated sister, was once prevented by José from marrying without parental consent.

Fascinating connection: Several of Rizal's sisters joined the revolutionary Katipunan movement after his execution, continuing his fight for Filipino rights. Josefa and Trinidad were among the original 29 women admitted to the secret society!

Rizal's Early Childhood

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna. His birth was difficult – his mother nearly died because of his large head and later made a pilgrimage to thank the Virgin of Antipolo for their survival. Three days after birth, Father Rufino Collantes baptized him with Don Pedro Casañas serving as godfather.

Even as a young child, José showed exceptional talents. His first memory was of their beautiful garden when he was three, where his father built him a nipa hut. At four, he experienced his first profound grief when his sister Concha died. By age five, he could read the Spanish family Bible and began creating art, confidently telling siblings who laughed at his clay modeling: "Alright. Laugh at me now! Someday when I die, people will make monuments of images of me."

José's childhood included cherished pets – a pony named Alipato and a black dog called Usman. His creative abilities emerged early; at eight, he wrote a Tagalog comedy performed at a local festival and possibly authored the poem "Sa Aking Kababata" (though some dispute this). His three uncles greatly influenced him: José Alberto cultivated his artistic ability, Manuel encouraged physical exercise to strengthen his frail body, and Gregorio fostered his love of reading.

Think about it: Rizal predicted as a child that people would make monuments of him after his death. Today, Rizal monuments stand throughout the Philippines and even in other countries. How did this young boy seem to understand his future importance?

Rizal's Creative Development

Rizal's poem "Sa Aking Mga Kabata/Kababata" (To My Fellow Youth) emphasized the importance of loving one's native language, comparing it to Latin, English, and Spanish. While traditionally attributed to eight-year-old Rizal, some scholars question this attribution based on his own statement that he learned the word "kalayaan" (freedom) only at age 21.

Beyond writing, young José developed diverse interests. He learned magic tricks like making coins and handkerchiefs vanish. His three uncles played crucial roles in developing his talents: José Alberto nurtured his artistic abilities, Manuel encouraged physical exercise to strengthen his naturally frail body, and Gregorio fostered his love of good books.

At just 15 years old, while studying at the Ateneo de Manila, José wrote "Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo" (In Memory of My Town), a beautiful poem reflecting on his childhood in Calamba. The poem vividly describes the natural beauty of his hometown – from gentle seas and swaying lilies to fragrant flowers and cool lagoons – and expresses his deep emotional connection to the place of his birth.

Writing tip: Notice how Rizal uses sensory details in his poem "Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo" to bring his hometown to life. He mentions the "whisper soft of zephyrs dancing on my brow," "flowers that softly breathe a bouquet," and "cooling breezes, pure, unstained." This technique makes his writing vivid and emotional.

Rizal's Poetic Voice

The conclusion of Rizal's poem "Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo" reveals his deep attachment to his hometown. The final stanzas express his yearning to return to the "tender childhood, lovely town" and the "gentle hours" of his youth. His poetic farewell ends with a prayer for his hometown's "peace, bliss, and tranquility."

This early poem demonstrates Rizal's remarkable literary talent even as a teenager. His ability to capture emotion through imagery and his sophisticated command of language foreshadowed the powerful writer he would become. The nostalgic tone reflects how his childhood experiences in Calamba remained a touchstone throughout his life.

Rizal's love for his hometown and early family life provided the foundation for his later patriotism. These formative experiences shaped his identity and values, inspiring him to fight for his country through his writings and activism. His childhood memories of freedom, beauty, and family unity contrasted sharply with the colonial oppression he would later challenge.

Connect the dots: Rizal's early poetry about his hometown shows how deeply he valued his Filipino heritage. This appreciation for his roots would later fuel his passionate writings about Filipino identity and rights under Spanish colonial rule.