Rizal's Childhood Memories and Influences
Rizal's Childhood Memories and Influences
Submitted by:
RACHEL R. NACIONALES
Instructor
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2 | RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 2
a. Determine the influences in Rizal’s young life that shapes his aspirations and
values.
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The life of Jose Rizal, like other young Filipino boys, had a lot of pleasant and
beautiful memories to reckon during his childhood days in Calamba. With parents
full of affection to their children and an abundant blessing from Lord Almighty, he
grew up in a home environment characterized by joy and contentment. His birth
place was an ideal place for artist, poets, budding writers and lovers of art who
traveled from Manila and other places to gain inspiration of its healthful waters and
climate and scenic panorama that surrounds the legendary Mount Makiling Flowers
of various colors and scents bloom all year round especially during the month of
May. Caiamba with its fertile fields and green cascading brooks and lakes with
crystal waters abound with fish. Its tall ancient and resilient trees with symmetrical
arrangement grew along the streets expressive of the lofty aspirations and ideals of a
people that seemed to long for freedom.
2.2 DISCUSSION
This is Calamba, a perfect place to nurture a growing child that holds promise
that eventually became the "cradie of a genius.” His native town is Calamba. Its
scenic beauties and industrious, hospitable, and friendly folks impressed him during
his childhood years and profoundly affected his mind and character. Calamba was a
hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order, which also owned all the
lands around it. It is a picturesque town nestling on a verdant plain covered with
irrigated rice fields and sugar-lands. A few kilometers to the south looms are the
legendary Mount Makiling in somnolent grandeur.
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Beyond Mount Makiling is the province of Batangas. East of the town is the
Laguna de Bay. In the middle lake towers is the storied island of Talim and beyond it
towards north is the distant Antipolo, famous mountain shrine of the miraculous
Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
In 1876 when he was 15 years old and was a student in the Ateneo de Manila
he remembered his beloved town. He wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In
Memory of My Town), when he was 15 years old in 1876. He was then a student in
Ateneo de Municipal. Rizal, being away from his family, reminisced his memories of
childhood in his hometown, Calamba, Laguna and wrote this poem to express his
love and appreciation for the place where he grew up. “Calamba you will remain an
important and cherished part of my life.” Jose murmured with deep sigh of
happiness.
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This English translation from the original Spanish version was translated by
Dr. Frank C. Laubach.
The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family
garden. Because he was frail, sickly, and undersized child, he was given the most
tender care by his parents. His father built a nipa cottage in the garden for him to
play in the daytime. Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By
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nightfall, Rizal related, his mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the
Angelus.
With nostalgic feeling, he also remembered the happy moonlit nights at the
azotea after the rosary. The aya related stories to Rizal children many stories about
fairies; tales of buried treasure and trees with blooming diamonds, and other
fabulous stories.
Sometimes, when he did not like to take his supper, the aya would treaten
him that the aswang, the nuno, the tigbalang, or a terrible bearded Bombay would
come to take him away if he would not eat his supper. Another memory of his
infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.
Rizal's first bitter memory was when little Concha (Concepcion) whom he for
fly called died when she was only three years old. He cried bitterly and for the first
time, he wept tears of tears of love and intense grief.
Jose as a young boy was very pious and devoted son of the Catholic Church.
At an early age of three, he used to take part in the family prayers. He loved to go to
church for spiritual nourishment and to join religious activities.
Jose and his father, in one occasion went on pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill
his mother's vow which was promised when he was born. Doña Teodora could not
accompany them because she gave birth to her tenth child, Trinidad. They rode in a
casco (barge) across Laguna de Bay. Since it was his first experience on a lake voyage
he was thrilled and overwhelmed with joy. He marvelled and was a wed by the
"splendor and magnificence of the watery expanse and the still of the night”.
After praying at the shrine of Our Lady of Buen Viaje of Antipolo, Pepe and
Don Francisco went to Sta. Ana, Manila and visited Saturnina, his oldest sister, who
was then studying in La Concordia College.
Not only was little Jose skilled in brush, chisel, and pen-knife, but also in pen. He
was born poet. His mother encouraged him to write poetry. At an early age when
children usually begin to learn ABC, he was already writing poems.
The first known poem that he wrote was a Tagalog poem entitled Sa Aking Mga
Kababata (To My Fellow Children).
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Before he was eight years old, he wrote a Tagalog drama. This drama was stages
in Calamba in connection with the town fiesta.
Lakeshore Reveries
During the twilight hours of summertime, Rizal, accompanied by his dog, used
to meditate at the shore of Laguna de Bay on the sad conditions of his oppressed people.
Young that he was, he grieved deeply over the unhappy situation of his beloved
fatherland. The Spanish misdeeds awakened in his boyish heart a great determination to
fight tyranny.
Rizal's school day in Biñan was remarkable. He excelled in all subjects especially
Latin and Spanish languages Because of this, it was not surprising that some of his older
classmates were secretly jealous of his intellectual endowments. His schooling in Biñan
came when he learned almost all that his teacher, Justiniano could teach him; so, his
teacher wrote a letter to his parents that it was time to send Rizal to College in Manila.
He left Biñan after staying there for one and half years homeward to Calamba
where he was warmly welcomed by his parents, brothers and sisters. At home, he
shared his memorable experiences with fascinating tales of his brawls with some
quarrelsome classınates and school triumphs with amusement and delight of brothers
and sisters.
This lieutenant who was a bully and overbearing person who habitually
badgered and intimated weaker people had an ax to grind against the Rizal family
because in one occasion, Don Francisco refused to give him fodder - a kind of feed for
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his horse. He was so unreasonable and haughty and virtually took the opportunity to
avenge himself and got even against Don Francisco and arrested Doña Teodora.
Under normal circumstances, Doña Teodora, the accused should have been
confined in the municipal jail of Calamba. However, for no apparent valid reason, the
judge, who had been a guest of the Rizal family in various social gatherings, was also
like the arrogant lieutenant who grudged ill feelings against the Rizal family because he
imagined that in one occasion, he was not accorded greater respect than other guests in
the Rizal home. He ordered that Doña Teodora be sent immediately to the provincial jail
in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna. Doña Teodora was forced to walk or foot under the
scorching heat of the sun, from Calamba to Santa Cruz. Her traumatic experience
affected young Pepe as her mother languished in jail. The constitutional right of the
accused in this particular case, to have a speedy; impartial, and public trial was not
observed because her mother s case dragged on until it reached the Royal Audiencia
(Supreme Court).
In spite of the injustice Doña Teodora experienced in the judicial system at the
time, she remained calm, resolute and courageous and accepted her fate with Christian
resignation. She believed that with God's help, the court would finally recognize her
innocence and the truth would prevail.
GAM-BUR-ZA's Martyrdom.
The painful experience of the arbitrary imprisonment of Rizal's mother was still
fresh and the wounds inflected had not yet totally healed. Another misfortune
happened in the Rizal family. The unjust execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and
Zamora, accused of conspiracy of the Cavite Mutiny and publicly garroted on February
17, 1872, opened the deep wounds. Paciano, Jose's older brother and a student in the
College of San Jose, in Manila was boarding with Father Burgos, his most esteemed
professor and friend. Because of fortitude and strength of character, he became a trusted
assistant of Father Burgos in the fight for the Filipinization of all parishes.
The execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora was one of the reasons why
Paciano quit College education. He returned to Calamba and related to his younger
brother Jose, the story of Burgos' martyrdom. A few years later, Jose Rizal wrote the
memory of Burgos: "He awakened my intellect and made me understand goodness and
justice. His farewell words I shall remember - "I have tried to pass on to you what 1
received from my teachers. Do the same for those who come after you." So eloquent and
precise and full of meanings to emulate.
Jose Rizal was almost eleven years old when the unfortunate and extremely
mournful execution of Gom-Bur Za happened. In spite of Rizal's tender age, he was
deeply affected with the pathetic incident. This injustice, like that one done to his
beloved mother, was another Spanish misrule happening in our land. From these wo
incidents that were clearly and flagrantly a violation of human rights and dignity, Rizal
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at an early age was awakened and to consecrate his life to combat evil 'forces of his
times at any cost even at the expense of his life.
Doña Teodora used to tell stories to her children before going to bed. In one
occasion, she narrated to Jose the story of the young meth which had made an imprint
and profound impression in his mind at an early stage of his life.
One evening, all members of Rizal's family went to bed early except his mother
and him. The room was dimly lighted by the flickering light from a coconut oil lamp on
the table.
Doña Teodora was teaching him to rend a Spanish reader, "The Children's
Friend". She became impatient and scolded him for not reading properly. He paid little
attention and effort in reading because he was preoccupied and fascinated watching the
coconut oil lamp while the little moths encircled the flights. When her mother noticed
that he was yawning and seemed not interested at all, she stopped reading and said, "I
am going to read to you a very interesting story. I want you to listen."
Rizal was suddenly awakened because the story promised something novel and
interesting. His curiosity increased when his mother started to read slowly the fable of
the mother moth and its little one. As she continued reading the story, his attention was
focused on the light and the moths which were circling the oil lamp. Doña Teodora
repeated the warning of the mother moth to the young one not to fly close to the flame
as if directing to him. He heard the message she would like to convey, but he was so
engrossed with the beautiful and attractive flame as the insects played merrily in its
fascinating brilliance that the moths that fell and drawned in the oil did not give him
any fear of apprehension. There was even a feeling of envy in himself about the fortune
of the insects.
Before his mother put him to bed, she said, "See if you do not behave like the
young moth, you might get burned." He did not know whether he answered his mother.
One thing he knew was the story revealed to him something until then unknown. For
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him, moths are now significant. Moths talked and they knew how to warn and advised
like her mother.
For him, the light seemed more beautiful and had grown more dazzling and
attractive. Now, he knew why the moths circled the flame.
The tragic fate of the young moth attracted to the splendor of the light that died a
martyr to its illusions "left a profound impress on Rizal's mind. For him, such noble
death was justified, upholding that “to sacrifice one’s life for an ideal” is meritorious
and exemplary.
Like the young moth, he was destined to die as a martyr for lofty ideal.
Literary Talents
At the age of eight years, Pizal revcaled his God – given talents in literary by
writing poems. The poem he wrote in Tagalog was entitled Sa Aking Kabata (To My
Fellow Children). He wrote this poem as an appeal to his countrymen to love their
national language.
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2 | RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 0
TO MY FELLOW CHILDREN
The poem reveals Rizal’s nationalistic sentiments and ideals even at an early age.
In poetic verses, he proclaimed with profound feeling that a people who truly love their
native language as a part of their culture, will undoubtedly strive for liberty like “the
bird which soars to freer space above” and that Tagalog is equal of English, Latin,
Hebrew, French, Spanish, and any other languages.
In the lives of all men there are influences which cause some to be great and
others not. In the case of Rizal, he had all favorable influences, which no other child in
our country enjoyed. His boyhood memories are characterized by playing in the garden
while he watched and marveled to birds like the maya, the culiauan, pipit and maria-
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capra as they chirped and flied from one branch to another listening with wonder and
joy their melodious songs. Jose and other Rizal children gathered together during
nightfall and pray the Angelus. He also remembered about stories, about fairy tales of
buried treasure and trees blooming with diamonds. When at times, when food served
during supper did not appeal his taste, the maid would threaten him about the aswang
and the tikbalang.
Hereditary Influence
o From Malayan ancestors, Rizal evidently, inherited his love for freedom, his
innate desire to travel and his indomitable courage.
o From Chinese ancestors he derived his serious nature, frugality, patience and
love for children.
o From Spanish ancestors he got his elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult
and gallantry to ladies.
o From his father he inherited a profound sense of self-respect, the love for
work and the habit of independent thinking.
o From his mother his religious nature, the spirit of self-sacrifice and the
passion for arts and literature.
Environmental Influence
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Burgos and Zamora in 1872 awakened his spirit of patriotism and inspired
him to consecrate his life and talents to redeem his oppressed people.
Greater than heredity and environment in the fate of man is the aid of Divine
Providence.
o A person may have everything in life brains, wealth, and power but without
the aid of Divine Providence ne cannot attain greatness in the annals of the
nation.
o Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride and glory of his nation.
o God had endowed him with the versatile gifts of a genius, the vibrant spirit of
a nationalist and the valiant heart to sacrifice for a noble cause.
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2. 3 REFERENCES
Farncisco Z., (2004). Rizal: Life, Works and Ideals. Mandaluyong City: Cacho Hermanos, Inc.
Pines cor. Union Sts.
3
2.4 Acknowledgement
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were
taken from the references cited above.
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2.5 ASSESSMENT
Score:
Name: __________________________________ Year & Section: ____________
Instructor: ______________________________ Date Finished: _____________
1) Describe the life of Rizal as a young boy. Compare his life when he was young to our
young boys today.
2) What inspired Rizal to write his poem, “In Memory of My Town?” What was the
message of the poem?
3) What do think are the effects – psychological and emotional of a good environment
to a young growing child? Explain your answer.
4) As a young boy, what was his bitter memory? When You were a young boy like
Rizal, can you 1 member an unpleasant memory or experience in your life? Can you
relate?
5) As a student, what are your religious activities that can provide for spiritual
nourishment?
6) Do you think that at early childhood, the child should know the meaning of
discipline? Explain your answer.
7) Why was Doña Teodora arbitrarily arrested by the Spanish authorities?
8) Under our present judicial system, what are the constitutional rights of the accused?
9) What is meant by due process? Explain your answer.
10) How did the unlawful arrest of the mother of Rizal affect His life? Explain your
answer.
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