Rizal 221 - Life, Works and Writing of Dr.

Jose Rizal

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

- Many splendored genius
- Greatest hero of a nation
- Physician (ophthalmic surgeon) , Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Historian
- Architect, painter, sculptor, educator, linguist, musician
- Surveyor, engineer, farmer, businessman, economist, geographer, cartographer,
bibliophile, Philologist, Grammarian, Folklorist
Born June 19, 1861 at Calamba,Laguna Province, Philippines. With big head
- Baptized in the Catholic church of his town on June 22, aged three days old, by the parish
priest. Father Rufino Collantes, who was a Batangueňo.
- Name Jose was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose
(St. Joseph.)During his christening ceremony Father Collantes was impressed by the baby
big head and told the members of the family “ take care of this child, for someday he
will became a great man”
Rizal parents :
Francisco Mercado – (1818-1898) was born in Biňan, Laguna on Mat 11, 1818. Studied Latin
and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila. A hardly and independent-minded man, who
talked less and worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit. Died in Manila on
January 5, 1898, at the age of 80. Rizal affectionately called him “a model of fathers”
Teodora Alonzo Realonda-(1826-1911) born in Manila on November 8, 1826 and was
educated at the College of Santa Rosa, Laguna a well-known college for girls in the city. She was
remarkable woman, possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the fortitude of
Spartan women. According to Rizal, his mother “is a woman of more than ordinary culture; she
knows literature and speak Spanish better than I. she corrected my poems and gave me good
advice when was studying rhetoric. She is Mathematicians and has read many books” died August
16, 1911, at the age of 85.
The Rizal Children.
1. Saturnina (1850-1913) – oldest of the Rizal children, nicknamed Neneng; married
Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.
2. Paciano (1851-1930) – older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal; after his younger
execution, he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general; after
revolution he retired to his farm in Los Baňos, where he lived as a gentleman farmer and
died on April 13, 1930, an old Bachelor aged 79. With two children by his
mistress(Severena Decena) a boy and girl.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939) – pet name Sisa and she married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of
Father Leoncio Lopez) a school teacher of Morong.
4. Olimpia (1855-1887) – Ypia was her pet name married by Silbestre Ubaldo, telegraph
operator from Manila.
5. Lucia (1857-1919) – married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba
6. Maria (1861-1896) – Biang was her nickname married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biňan,
Laguna.
7. Jose (1861-1896) – greatest Filipino Hero and peerless genius, nickname pepe; during
his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from hongkong; they had a
baby boy died a few hours after birth; Rizal name him “Francisco” after his father’s
name.
8. Concepcion (1862-1865) – pet name Concha died in sickness at the age of 3, her death
was Rizal first sorrow.
9. Josefa (1865-1945) – pet name Panggoy, died an old maid at the age of 83.
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 10. Trinidad (1870-1929) – Trining pet name died an old maid in 1951 aged 83.
11. Soledad (1870-929) – youngest, pet name Choleng married to Pantaleon Quintero of
Calamba.
Paciano treated Rizal as his second father, throughout his life Rizal respected him and
greatly valued his gracious advice, immortalized him in his first novel Noli Me Tangere as the Piloso
Tasio. Written in London on June 23, 1888, he regarded Paciano s the “most noble of Filipinos” and
though an Indio, more generous and noble than all the Spaniards put together.

Rizal’s ancestry
As a typical Filipino, was a product of the mixture of races. His veins flowed the blood of
both East and West- Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish
The surname of Rizal’s family was Mercado, which was adapted in 1731 by Domingo Lam Co
(the paternal great-great father of Jose Rizal) full blooded Chinese.
The house of Rizal was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during Spanish
times, two story building rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods, and roofed
with red tiles.
It was a happy home where parental affection and children’s laughter reigned. By day, it
hummed with the noises of children at play and songs of the birds in the garden. By night it echoed
with the dulcet notes of family prayers. Such a wholesome home, naturally, bred a wholesome
family.
A good and Middle-class family- the family belong to the principalia, a town aristocracy in
Spanish in the Philippines, was one of the distinguished families in Calamba, honest and hard work
and frugal living. Rizal parents were able to live well. from the farms which were rented from the
Dominican Order, they harvested rice, corn, and sugarcane. They raise pigs, chickens, and turkeys
in their backyard. Doňa Teodora managed a general goods store and operated a small flour-mill
and a home-made ham press.
Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life. In consonance with Filipino custom,
family ties among the Rizals were intimately close. Don Francisco and Doňa Teodora are strict
parents and they trained their children to love God, to behave well, to be obedient, and to respect
people especially old folks. Whenever children, including Jose Rizal got into mischief, they were
given a sound spanking.
CHILDHOOD YEARS OF JOSE RIZAL IN CALAMBA
Rizal had many beautiful memories of childhood in his native town. Grew up in a happy
family, ruled by good parents, bubbling with joy, and sanctified by God’s blessings.
The happiest period of Rizal’s life was spent in this lakeshore town, a worthy prelude to his
Hamlet-like tragic manhood.
Rizal love Calamba with all his heart and soul. When he was 15 years old and was student in
the Ateneo de Manila, he wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo ( In Memory of my Town)
EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF JOSE RIZAL.
3 years old in the family garden, His father built a little nipa cottage in the garden for him to
play in the day time. He was left alone by his aya to muse on the beauties of nature or play by
himself, watched from his garden cottage, the culiauan, the maya, the maria capra, the martin, the
pipit and other birds and listened with wonder and joy to their twilight.
o By nightfall, praying Angelus
o Happy moonlit night at the azotea after the nightly Rosary. The aya related to the buried
treasure and trees blooming with diamonds, and other fabulous stories. He interested in
legends and folklore.
o During infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town especially when there was a moon.

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 The sorrow of Jose Rizal when he was four years old, his sister Concha died, he was so very
fond of her, cried bitterly at losing her.

Devoted Son of God

At age of three begun to take a part in the family prayers, at five years old he was able to
read halting the Spanish family Bible.
Pilgrimage to Antipolo
On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father went on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, in order to fulfill his
mother’s vow which was made when Jose was born. The first trip of Jose they rode in a casco
(barge). During the travel the whole night Rizal did not sleep because he was awed by the
“magnificence of the watery expanse and the silence of the night.
The Story of the Moth
The tragic fate of the young moth, which died a martyr to its illusions, left a deep impress on
Rizal’s mind. He justified such noble death asserting that ‘to sacrifice one’s life for it,” meaning for
an ideal, is “worthwhile” and, like that young moth, he was fated to die as a martyr for a noble
ideal.
Artist talent
Age of five (5) he began to make sketches with pencil and mold in clay and wax objects
which attracted his fancy.
He painted in oil colors a new banner of the town that delighted the town folks because it
was better than the original. Jose had the soul of a genuine artist.
One interesting anecdote about Rizal was the incident about his clay and wax images.
One day when he was six years old his sisters laughed at him for spending so much time making
those images rather than participating in their games. He kept silent as they laughed with childish
glee. As they were departing Jose Rizal told them “All right laugh at me now! Someday when I die,
people will make monuments and images of me!”.
Rizal possessed a God-given gift for Literature – age of eight (8) his first poem in native
language Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)
Rizal was Boy Magician – with his dexterous hands, he learned various tricks, such as making a coin
appear or disappear in his fingers and making a handkerchief vanish in thin air.
He read many books on magic and attended the performance of the famous magicians of
the world. Chapter XVII and XVIII of his novel El Filibusterismo , he revealed his wide knowledge of
magic.
In his young thought he grieved deeply over the unhappy situation of his fatherland. The
Spanish misdeeds awakened in his boyish heart a great determination to fight tyranny.
Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood
1. Hereditary Influence – biological science:
- Inherent qualities which a person inherits from his ancestors and parents
- Malayan ancestors – his love for freedom, innate desire to travel, indomitable courage
- Chinese ancestors – serious nature, frugality, patience, and love for children
- Spanish ancestors- elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry of ladies
- His father – profound sense of self respect, love for work, habit of independent thinking,
- His mother – religious in nature, spirit of self-sacrifice and passion for arts and literature.
2. Environmental Influence: according to psychologist environment, as well as heredity ,
affects the nature of a person.- places, associates, and events
- Tio Alberto , who had studied for eleven years in a British School in Calculta, India and had
traveled in Europe inspired him to develop his artistic ability.
- Tio Gregorio – a book lover, intensified his various reading of good books

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 - The sorrow of the family, death of Concha and the imprisonment of his mother, contributed
to strengthen his character, enabling him to resist blows of adversity in later years.
- The Spanish abuses and cruelties which he witnessed in his boyhood, such as brutal acts of
the lieutenant of Guardia Civil and the alcade, unjust tortures inflicted on innocent Filipinos
and the execution of GOMBURZA. Awaken his spirit of patriotism and inspired him to
consecrate hi life and talents to redeem his oppressed people.
3. Aid of Divine Providence: a person may have everything in life- brains, wealth and power-
but, without the aid of Divine Providence, he cannot attain greatness in the annals of the
nation. Rizal was providently distained to be the priced and glory of his nation. God had
endowed him with the versatile gifts of a genius, the vibrant spirit f a nationalist, and the
valiant heart to sacrifice for a noble cause.
Early Education in Calamba and Biňan
First teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was remarkable woman of good character and
fine culture. At age of three he learned alphabet and prayers.
Private Tutors
*1st-Maestro Celestino *2nd-Maestro Lucas Padua *3rd-Leon Monroy
- a former classmate of Rizal's father
- died five months after
First Day in Biñan school
*The school of Maestro Justiano Aquino Cruz
*The school was a nipa hut and 30 meters away from Rizal's aunt.
*Pedro- the teacher's son
First School Brawl or Fight:
1. Fist fight with Pedro – the bully.
2. Arm wrestling match with Andres Salandanan
Painting lesson
Juancho, the father-in-law of the school teacher, freely gave Jose lessons in drawing and
painting. Afterwards, Jose and Jose Guevarra, his classmate, became Juancho’s apprentice.
Best student in school
In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He surpassed them all in Latin, Spanish, and other
subjects.
End of Binan schooling
He left Biñan on Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870, after one year and a half of schooling
in the town. He was accompanied by a Frenchman named Arturo Camps as they ride the Talim.
Rizal’s Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877)
Four months after the martyrdom of GOM-Bur-Za and with Doňa Teodora still in prison, Jose,
who had not yet celebrated his eleventh birthday, was sent to Manila, he studied in the Ateneo
Municipal, a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. This college was a bitter rival of
Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran.
Rizal enter Ateneo On June 10, 1872, Rizal took the entrance examination in College of San Juan
de Letran. He started studying in Ateneo at the age of 11.
Jose was the first in the family to adopt the surname “Rizal” he registered under this name at
the Ateneo because their family name “Mercado” had come under the suspicion of the Spaniards
authorities. Paciano had used “Mercado” as his surename at the College of San Jose and he was
known to the authorities as Father Burgos’ favourite student and confidant.
Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo (1872-1873
- His first professor was Fr. Jose Bech
- He was an externo because he knows only a little Spanish
- After a month, he became the brightest student in class and was awarded a prize.

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 - To improve his Spanish skills, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the
noon recesses.
- In the second half of the year in Ateneo, Rizal did not try hard enough to retain his
supremacy, but he still placed 2nd at the end of the school year and all his grades was marked
“EXCELLENT.”
Rizal’s Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)
He studied even harder and once more he became “Emperor”
At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal
Teenage Interest in Reading
The first novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Universal History by Cesar Cantu, according to Rizal, this valuable work was of great aid in his
studies and enabled him to win more prizes in Ateneo.
Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feoder Jagor, impressed him in this book were
(1) Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization
(2) his Prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would
come to succed her as colonizer.
Rizal’s Third Year in Ateneo (1874-1875)
● He did not make an excellent study in this year.
● His grades was excellent, but he won only one gold medal – in Latin.
● He himself was not satisfied in his scholastic works.
Rizal’s Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)
● Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez became his instructor and inspired him to study harder and
write poetry.
● Inspired by Fr. Sanchez, he topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the
end of the school term.
Rizal’s Last Year in Ateneo (1876 – 1877)
● He was the most brilliant Atenean of his time.
● He finished his last year at the Ateneo with in a blaze of glory.
● He obtained the highest grades in all subjects.
● Rizal graduated as the head of his class. His scholastic records at the Ateneo from 1872 to
1877 was all Excellent!
● He graduated on March 23, 1877 at the age of 16.
Medical Studies at the University of SantoTomas (1877-1882)
After graduating with the highest honors from Ateneo. Rizal proceeds to University of Santo
Tomas for higher studies. During Spanish times Bachelor of Arts course was equivalent only to the
high school and junior colleges courses today. It merely qualified its graduate to enter university.
His prizes winning poem of Rizal “ A La Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth) is an inspiring
poem of flawless form. In exquisite verses, Rizal beseeches the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy,
to let their genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to break the chains
that have long bound the spirit of the people.
Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students in their frequent fights against the arrogant
Spanish students, who were often surpassed by the Filipinos in class work and who insultingly
called their brown classmates Indio, chongo. And Filipinos called kastila as mestisong bangus.

Rizal Unhappy days at the UST.

o Dominican Professors were hostile to him
o Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
o The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.

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 His Novel, El Filibustirismo he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted
by the their Dominican professors and how backward and method of instruction was, especially in
the teaching of the natural sciences.
Because of the unfriendly attitude of his professors, Rizal the most brilliant graduate of the
Ateneo, failed to win high scholastic honors. Although his grades in the first year of the philosophy
course were all “excellent” they were not impressive in the four years of his medical course.
After finishing fourth year of his medical course. Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no
longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in the University of Santo Tomas.
Rizal in Spain and Europe
His departure for Spain was kept secret from Spanish authorities, friars and even to his
parents especially to his mother because she would not allow him to go. In order to avoid detection
from authorities, he used the name Jose Mercado, the name of his cousin in Calamba.
On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid taking up two
courses: Philosophy and Letters and Medicine.
On June 21, 1884, he conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad
Central de Madrid. The following academic year, he studied and passed all subjects leading to the
degree of Doctor of Medicine. Unfortunately, he was not able to submit the thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. With that, he was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma.
Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was
awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de
Madrid on June 19, 1885 with the rating of excellent.
Jose Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology. Among all
branches, he chose this specialization because he wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
In 1885, after studying at the Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24 yrs old,
went to Paris to acquire more knowledge in ophthalmology.
On February 3, 1886, after gathering some experience in ophthalmology, he left Paris and
went to Heidelberg. He worked at the University Eye Hospital under the direction of Dr. Otto
Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist.
He also befriended Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a famous historian and Dr. Hans Meyer, a German
anthropologist. On October 29, he went to Dresden, where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, the
director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. He met scientists like Dr. Feodor Jagor,
the German scientist-traveller, Dr. Rudolf Virchow, the famous German anthropologist, Dr. W.
Joest, a German geographer and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a famous German ophthalmologist.

There were five reasons why Rizal choose to reside in Germany longer:
• to gain further knowledge in ophthalmology.
• to further his studies in science and languages.
• Another was to observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation.
• to associate with famous German scientists and scholars
• to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
Jose Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also
took courses in philosophy and literature.
It was in Madrid that he began writing Noli Me Tangere. He also attended classes in
the University of Paris. In 1887, he completed his eye specialization course at the University of
Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel was published in Berlin.

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Jose Rizal’s Travels and Impressions
Spain
• Our National Hero Jose Rizal left the country in May 1882 to pursue his studies abroad. He
enrolled in a course of MEDICINE at the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain.
• August in 1890, He went back to Madrid
• He tried all legal means to seek justice for his family and the Calamba where Marcelo H. Del
Pilar acted as his lawyer.
• He almost fought to duels. One with Antonio Luna and the other to Wenceslao E. Retana
• A rivalry had ensued between Rizal and del Pilar over the leadership of the Association
Hispano Filipino
Barcelona
• At first, Rizal did not like it there because there is discrimination but later on he liked
Barcelona because there you can express anything verbally unlike in the Philippines.
• He also fell in love with Consuelo Ortiga
France
• After 1 year, he decided to go to France to have an observation on how medicine was
produced and practiced there. After that, he returned again to madrid to teach about the
colonial relationship of Spain and the Philippines. Later in March 1887, the publication of his
one literary work Noli Me Tangere was published in Germany.
• In March 1891, Rizal finished writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo
• El Filibusterismo was published in Ghent using donations from Rizal’s friends.
Point Galle, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
• Rizal was not impressed in point galle, because the place is only good in the first few days of
his stay, Rizal said that it was boring and also only good in taking souvenir pictures. After
Point Galle he docked at Colombo the capital of Sri Lanka. And Rizal was more impressed in
Colombo rather that point galle, Colombo is beautiful and elegant.
Germany
• In Germany, Rizal spread and extended his connections, extended his networks with the
German Scientists and scholars. Rizal is very observant in Germany, like he said that on
german customs they are very accommodating, introduction to strangers in a social
gathering is a must, and his observation on women that German women are more serious,
diligent and friendly. Comparing it to the Filipina women, Filipinas are more interested on
what they look.
Belgium
Rizal is lacking money, but he receives pension from Propaganda. Rizal was writing and
ready for printing the 20 chapters of the El Filibusterismo, but he's still waiting for the money to
pay the publishing expenses. He didn't receive money for three long months, no pension and no
money from home. He lives in a small room, He sells his jewelleries, He's eating modest foods in
order to survive and make the El Filibusterismo Publish.

The Joys and Pains of Dr Jose Rizal’s Romance

Julia or Minang his first sight of Julia was her wrapped in red tapis, her long hair cascading
down her shoulders. She was about 14 and Rizal 15.Trillana historian says “ two teenagers who
were just awakening to the tender murmurs of the heart”
His first love the girl who first awakened the hero’s heart was Segunda Katigbak, sister of
Rizal’s friend, Mariano and close friend of Rizals sister, Olimpia in school. Miss K Segunda Katigbak
of a wealthy family from Lipa Batangas.

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 Leonor Revira – “ tender as a budding flower with kindly wistful eyes his cousin. They
became engaged but when Rizal was kept away from the country by his studies and travel, Leonor
once again once again was lost to hi8m, marrying instead a Spanish mestizo.
Leonor (Orang) Valenzuela little landlady of Rizal
Gertrude Beckett, a blue blooded English woman who was the oldest daughter of a London
organist whose Rizal lodged when he went to visit London, Rizal worried because Gettie was falling
in love to him their romance might cross the threshold of regret. Rizal said he cannot marry her
because he has other ties which remind him our country and no doubt do not permit him to marry
her.
Josephine Bracken who was 19. Rizal Hope to marry Her and informed the priest in Dapitan
of his intention. But because the church requirements, Rizal and Josephine simply lived together,
without being married for more than a year until Rizal was executed. To end of his life Rizal treated
and considered Josephine as His wife.
Consuelo Ortia y Perez, a daughter of a liberal minded Spanish official who once served in
Manila during Spanish era. It was just a simply relationship.
O Sei San – was a daughter of Japanese nobleman who had a brief affair with Rizal when she
was 23 Rizal was 27, her real name Seiko Usui, tour guide of Rizal when was in Tokyo and they had
a short but torrid romance.
Suzanne Jacoby – Rizal stayed with Jacoby for a certain time in an atmosphere of tranquillity
and congenial company, which is one of the contributing factors that led to continue writing the El
Filibustirismo.
Rizal never married any of his loves because he had already married to “Patria.”

Was DR. Jose Rizal a Reformist or Revolutionist?

Reform - to make something better by making corrections or removing any faults; the
improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt or unsatisfactory.
Reformist - supporting or advancing gradual reform rather than abolition or revolution.
Revolution- a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system.
Whether you're overthrowing a government or protesting an unjust law, you could be
called a revolutionist, someone who works for political or social change. A revolutionist is someone
who wants to change the world — not just sitting around talking about it, but actually doing
something to bring about change
When Bonifacio, the leader of the Katipunan society, asked Rizal if it would be a good plan
to start a revolution, Rizal opposed the plan and said it would not be suitable. He said what would
do the country most good would be to devote themselves to the improvement and education of
the people, and to look for reformation in peaceful ways.

FEMALE CHARACTERS ( Noli Me Tangere)

María Clara
María Clara de los Santos y Alba, commonly referred to as María Clara, is Ibarra's fiancée and the
most beautiful and widely celebrated girl in San Diego. She was raised by Capitán Tiago de los
Santos, San Diego's cabeza de barangay (town head), and his cousin, Isabel. In the later parts of the
novel, she was revealed to be an illegitimate daughter of Father Dámaso, the comer curate of the
town, and Doña Pía Alba, Capitán Tiago's wife, who had died giving birth to María Clara.

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 Doña Victorina
Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña, commonly known as Doña Victorina, is an ambitious
Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-
up. The novel narrates Doña Victorina's younger days: she had lots of admirers, but she spurned
them all because none of them were Spaniards. Later on, she met and married Don Tiburcio de
Espadaña, an official of the customs bureau ten years her junior. However, their marriage is
childless.
Sisa
Narcisa or Sisa is the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín. Described as beautiful and young,
although she loves her children very much, she cannot protect them from the beatings of her
husband, Pedro.
Salomé
Salomé is Elías' sweetheart. She lived in a little house by the lake, and though Elías would like to
marry her, he tells her that it would do her or their children no good to be related to a fugitive like
himself.
Doña Consolación
Wife of the Alférez, nicknamed as la musa de los Guardia’s civil (The muse of the Civil Guard) or la
Alféreza. She was a former laundrywoman who passes herself
Tía Isabel
Capitán Tiago's cousin, who helped raise María Clara and served as a surrogate mother figure.
Doña Pía Alba
wife of Capitán Tiago and mother of María Clara, she had died giving birth to her daughter. In
reality, she was raped by Padre Dámaso.

El Filibustirismo (charaters)
Paulita Gómez
The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece of Doña Victorina, the old Indio who passes herself off as
a Peninsular, who is the wife of the quack doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña. In the end, she and Juanito
Peláez are wed, and she dumps Isagani, believing that she will have no future if she marries him.
Huli
Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales. To claim
her father from the bandits, she had to work as a maid under the supervision of Hermana
Penchang. Eventually, she was freed but committed suicide after Father Camorra attempted to
rape her.
Doña Matutinay
Victorina delos Reyes de Espadaña, known in Noli Me Tangere as Tiburcio de Espadaña's cruel
wife. She is the aunt of Paulita Gomez, and favors Juanito Pelaez over Isagani. She is searching for
her husband, who has left her and is in hiding.
Hermana Penchang
Sagpang's rich pusakal (gambler). She offers Juli to be her maid so the latter can obtain money to
free Kabesang Tales. Disbelieving of Juli and her close friends, she considers herself as an ally of the
friars.
Hermana Báli
Another wealthy gambler in Tiani. She became Juli's mother-figure and counselor; helped to
release Kabesang Tales from the hands of bandits.
Pepay
Don Custodio's supposed "girlfriend". A dancer, she is always agitated of her "boyfriend’s plans.
She seems to be a close friend of Macaraig.

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To the young ladies of Malolos
Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women of Malolos had
shown. In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction over the battle they had fought. In this
portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same
opportunities as those received by men in terms of education. Filipino mothers should teach their
children love of God, country and fellowmen.
 Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in
defense of their country.
 Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.
 Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values.
 Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real
Christian way with good morals and manners.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO MOTHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN

Rizal stipulates a number of important points in this portion of his letter to the young
women of Malolos. The central idea here, however, is that whatever a mother shows to her
children is what the children will become also. If the mother is always kissing the hand of the friars
in submission, then her children will grow up to be sycophants and mindless fools who do nothing
but do as they are told, even if the very nature of the task would violate their rights as individuals.

QUALITIES MOTHERS HAVE TO POSSESS

Rizal enumerates the qualities Filipino mothers have to possess:
 Be a noble wife.
 Rear her children in the service of the state here Rizal gives reference to the women of
Sparta who embody this quality
 Set standards of behavior for men around her.
RIZAL’S ADVICE TO UNMARRIED MEN AND WOMEN
Jose Rizal points out to unmarried women that they should not be easily taken by appearances
and looks, because these can be very deceiving. Instead, they should take heed of men’s firmness
of character and lofty ideas. Rizal further adds that there are three things that a young woman
must look for a man she intends to be her husband:
 A noble and honored name
 A manly heart
 A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.

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